"Everything I was I carry with me, everything I will be lies waiting on the road ahead."
― Ma Jian, Red Dust: A Path Through China
Cloud was a pro at navigating the tunnels and caverns of the mines by this point. He'd had plenty of chances to learn which shortcuts to take and which turns to avoid. Being able to keep the group together as they traversed the passages was a bonus, and it meant that they made quick progress towards the exit.
The group made their way through old Junon Republic tunnels and started encountering dilapidated shacks and other structures that had long since been abandoned.
"So tell me about Reno. He holding up okay?"
"He's been through worse."
The group slowed their steps as the sound of voices reached their ears. Cloud glanced over his shoulder at his companions. "Turks."
The others nodded at his whispered warning and they took cover alongside a rock formation. Cloud listened to Elena and Rude continue their conversation, and it followed the same sort of structure as all the previous times. Finding it pointless to delay the inevitable, he straightened, beckoning the others to follow him. Cloud's eyes scanned the area as he stepped in to it, taking note of the handful of robed figures meandering across the plateau behind the suited duo.
The pair of Turks spotted them immediately as they approached. "No freaking' way!" Elena pointed an accusing finger at them.
"Yeah, yeah." Cloud sighed, his expression a perfect study of boredom. "Elena, the latest and greatest, yadda yadda."
The blonde woman deflated slightly as he cut her speech sport. "How'd you-?"
"Elena." Rude intoned. "Focus."
"Where's Reno?" Aerith piped up, glancing around the space as though the redhead might suddenly appear.
"On vacation." Rude said simply.
"You should have joined him." Barret growled, eyes narrowed at the bald man. "Y'all got a lot to answer for. Lotta blood on your hands."
"You need someone to blame."
The group's attention was drawn to the metal platform above, and the third Turk that was stood there. Tseng pointed his pistol at Barret for a short moment before moving it to the side and shooting one of the black robes without another moment of hesitation. Cloud's grip on his sword tightened as Tifa and Aerith gasped behind him.
"I suggest you look in the mirror. For us however things have changed. While you're still wanted fugitives, if you stay out of our way, we'll stay out of yours."
"Bullshit!" Barret spat though Tseng was unfazed. He turned his attention to the other members of the group, eyes scanning them each in turn.
"Take care of Aerith for me." Tseng told Cloud.
The blond man narrowed his eyes and his jaw clenched. Those words always got under his skin. "I've got it covered." He bit out.
Tseng paused for a moment, face inscrutable, before he smirked and raised his gun again. "Elena!"
Anticipating the action, Cloud darted forward, sending a bolt of lightning magic towards Elena. The woman jumped back in time to dodge the attack, but her grip on the grenade she had primed slipped and the explosive clattered to the floor.
"Shit!"
Elena and Rude scrambled away, being forced off their feet as the grenade detonated. Cloud stood with his sword at the ready and glared at the long-haired man above. Tseng paid no mind to the clouds of dust and debris billowing around him, nor to the bickering of his subordinates as they clambered back to their feet.
The two men kept their narrowed gazes locked for a beat more before Tseng sneered and turned away. "Rude. Elena. Move out."
Cloud didn't relax his stance until the Turks had disappeared from sight.
"You really pissed him off." Barret noted, moving to stand next to Cloud.
The blonde shrugged, sheathing his blade. "Spoiled his plan to send us down there." He jerked his thumb towards the pit they were stood near. "Makes getting out of here a lot easier though."
"The All-Seeing Cloud comes through again." Barret chuckled before turning to look at the cliff face before them. "Now how do we get up there?"
"Perhaps I could be of assistance?" Red stepped forward. "I am rather adept at climbing. I could go up and see if there is a path for you."
"Or a ladder." Barret suggested.
"Thanks, Red." Cloud nodded. "Be careful."
The group watched as their four-legged companion scrambled along the rough rocks that made up the wall of the mine before leaping off to deftly land on the metal platform that Tseng had previously occupied. The sound of his claws on the steel faded as he moved away, leaving the others nothing to do other than wait.
"So, Aerith." Tifa began. "Seems like Tseng has a thing for you?"
Cloud rolled his eyes without thinking though none of the others seemed to notice.
"Oh I don't know." Aerith frowned slightly. "We have history I guess. It's his job to make sure I stay safe so I can lead Shinra to the Promised Land."
Tifa shook her head, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of her lips. "It's not just business for him."
Cloud was about to tell Tifa to drop it when Aerith spoke again.
"Well what about you and Rude?"
"What?"
"He's got such a crush on you it's almost pathetic."
Tifa spluttered slightly. "He does not!"
"Ladies, maybe leave the girl talk for later?" Barret interjected. When the two women fell silent, Barret nodded, satisfied. "She's right though, Tifa. That bald guy does have the hots for you."
Tifa's protests were cut short by the sound of metal grinding against metal.
"You okay up there?" Cloud called.
Red came back in to view, peering over the edge of the metal platform. "Yes, no issues here. I've found a ladder."
"Knew it." Barret muttered.
Red dutifully ignored him. "Please stand back and I will push it down to you."
The group stepped backwards as requested and watched as Red used his head to nudge a rusted metal ladder towards the edge of the platform. When it reached the point of no return, gravity took over and sent the ladder crashing to the floor.
"Got it. Thanks." Cloud stepped forward, hefting the old metal contraption off the ground and on to its end. Leaning it against the outcrop where Red waited, Cloud gave it shake to make sure it was seated firmly.
Aerith and Tifa shared a glance before looking over at Barret. "Age before beauty?"
The man rolled his eyes but approached the ladder. "I'm older and better looking."
The girls giggled at his grumbled words and Cloud fought to keep his face neutral.
Soon they all joined Red and took a moment to gain their bearings.
"Which way?" Aerith pointed her finger straight out and turned in a full circle. "There's a few paths up here."
Cloud headed for the passage to their right. "This way. We're almost out."
"That is a big-ass gun." Barret used his hand to shield his eyes from the sun and glared at the cannon pointing out to sea. "Trust Shinra to do things to excess."
"At least we know where we're headed I guess." Tifa mused. "And it's nice to be out in the fresh air again."
"Agreed." Aerith stretched her arms above her head. "Though I wouldn't mind a moment to rest. It feels like we've been walking forever."
"I agree with the lady. That damn snake, the Shinra suits, and who knows how long trekking through that mine. It's been a long day already."
"Let's get to the ranch down there and then we can rest." Cloud pointed at the chocobo ranch in the distance. "It's an easy enough walk."
"And them?" Red tilted his head towards the path down the hillside, and the mass of black robed figures creeping along it.
Cloud eyed them wearily. "Leave them be, they're no threat to us. And there's nothing we can do for them."
They soon left the hooded men behind, and continued along the path towards the ranch.
"Hope we can get some food there." Tifa rubbed at her stomach. "We need to start carrying more rations."
"We'll sort something." Cloud agreed, leading the way forward.
Gabe, the proprietor of the ranch, was a surly as ever. Their long day grew a little more wearisome as they were sent out to wrangle the man's free-roaming birds. Dirty, hungry and tired, Cloud took pleasure in watching sweet, little Aerith read the man the riot act over how he'd treated his chocobos.
"I hear ya." Gabe grumbled, scratching the back of his head. "No more rolling over for Shinra. I'm gonna run my business like I used to."
"That's the spirit!" Aerith grinned. "Now, do you have somewhere we can stay for the night?"
Gabe wasn't the most gracious host they'd come across in their travels, but he did point them in the direction of his barn and kindly offered them the use of the water pump out back.
"He's gotta have a shower in that house of his, right?" Barret frowned. "But we're stuck out here sponging down with what might as well be Shiva's tears."
"We're probably lucky he let us stay at all." Cloud sighed. "He's not the cheeriest person."
"Harsh words coming from you." Barret grit his teeth as withdrew his washcloth from the bucket of water and dragged it along his neck.
Cloud bit his tongue and waited patiently for the older man to finish up, turning the air blue as he washed. Only when Barret had tipped the water away and then sat scowling on the floor, did Cloud refill the bucket with fresh water before placing it clear of the group.
"Fire." Cloud murmured, casting his hand forward. The fireball flew forwards and enveloped the metal container for a moment before dissipating, leaving a bucket of steaming water in its wake. Cloud glanced at Barret and smirked at the sight of the man's slack jaw. "You have some fire materia, right?"
"What the-" Barret scowled. "Why didn't you say something before I froze my ass off?"
"Guess I wan't feeling very cheery." Cloud intoned flatly.
Barret's eyes narrowed dangerously but he seemed to think better of replying, instead choosing to stand up and stomp away from the blonde.
"Point for Cloud." Aerith stage whispered to Tifa and Red. "Anyone been keeping track of the scores?"
"They've both been struggling if we're being honest." Tifa snickered.
Barret turned his head to glare at them as he lay his blankets down in one of the empty stalls. "I hope you all end up sleeping in chocobo dung."
The group were up with the sun the next morning, the ocean beyond the ranch painted a brilliant orange as dawn broke. Gabe, for all his rough edges, did provide breakfast for them all. The gang perched on the crates outside the barn and took a quiet moment to enjoy the new day peeking over the horizon.
"So," Tifa broke the silence, stirring her bowl of porridge. "What's going to happen today?"
"You want to know?" Cloud lifted an eyebrow.
"Well it is helpful to know what to expect."
Cloud considered her words. He had chewed over the idea plenty over his many moments of repetition. "Always wondered if telling you guys too much would put us on a different path." He paused, frowning. "Actually, things already seem a bit different this time."
Red lifted his head from his breakfast. "I think you are wise to be cautious. Fate is a fickle thing."
"Don't believe in Fate." Cloud said gruffly. "But either way we're heading to Junon. There's some more people that I want to recruit, guess there's no point keeping that a secret."
"Can you tell us about them?" Aerith placed her empty bowl on the ground. "What are they like?"
"Different." Cloud surrendered a small smile. "I mean I can tell you about them, but would you rather get to know them like you normally would?"
The rest of the team considered his words for a moment. "Guess you've got a point." Barret conceded. "Be a bit freaky for them if we all knew everything before we even said 'hello'."
Cloud turned back to the horizon, the sun now well clear of it and his lips quirked. "Just watch your materia around the first one."
"You've got to be kidding me." Barret glared up at the cliff face ahead of them. "There's no way this thing can get up there."
"Have some faith." Cloud was already on his chocobo. "Just hold on tight."
Barret muttered darkly as he mounted his bird, knuckles turning white as he gripped the reins. Cloud glanced at the others and, satisfied that they were all ready, he turned his own mount towards the cliff and gave a sharp kick to get the bird moving. The chocobo's sharp talons gripped in to the rocky surface, and it began climbing the vertical surface with ease. Cloud shifted his posture to account for the strange angle, feeling his core muscles contract. He patted the bird's neck in encouragement before glancing over his shoulder to see how the others were faring.
Tifa and Aerith were coping well, their initial nervousness giving way to the joy of the new experience. Cloud caught Aerith's eye and she grinned at him, her hair falling away from her face as she allowed herself to lean back a little. He returned her smile before casting his gaze over his other shoulder, spying the other two members of the team. They weren't doing as well.
Red had the leather reins grasped firmly in his teeth, his rear legs gripping firmly in to the saddle of his mount as he tried to keep himself as low to the bird as possible.
Barret had flung his gun-arm around the neck of the chocobo and Cloud could hear frequent swear words erupt from the man with every buck and lurch the bird made.
"You guys okay?"
Red's reply was garbled by the strap in his mouth, and Barret's fierce glare was answer enough.
When they crested the lip of the cliff, Aerith patted the head of her ride, looking at the others. "That was so much fun!"
"Yeah, a riot." Barret said flatly, immediately sliding out of the saddle. "Think I'll walk from here."
Unfortunately for the man, there were a few more sheer climbs to deal with, but they eventually dismounted and continued on foot in to the ramshackle settlement overlooking the bay.
"One moment." The brunette sat at the side of the road stood, cutting off the group's progress. "Welcome to Under Junon, our sunless oasis. My name is Rhonda, I'm the mayor and sheriff round these parts."
Cloud waited patiently for her to walk towards Tifa and Barret, here eyes darting between their faces and the screen she held in her hands. No point trying to rush this and antagonise the woman.
"Avalanche huh?"
Tifa averted her face while Barret lifted his in defiance.
"That depends who's asking."
Rhonda tilted her head, turning away. "A woman who could turn you in, and be a hundred grand richer for it."
Barret huffed out a false laugh and lifted his gun-arm, the lamplight glinting off the metal. "Well you know what they say - can't take it with ya."
Rhonda shook her head, looking down at her device once more, swiping to the next wanted poster. She looked up at the green-eyed girl next to Cloud and sighed.
"And Aerith to boot huh? That's another half a million on top."
"Half a million?" Aerith gasped, looking positively delighted. Cloud fought down the amused quirk of his lips and levelled Rhonda with an inscrutable stare. The woman turned from the group, heading back towards the chair she had previously occupied.
"Down here though… we know when to turn a blind eye. Consider our lips sealed."
Barret opened his mouth to argue but Cloud held out a hand, shaking his head minutely. "Thanks. Is there somewhere we could rest up?"
Rhonda pointed across the town. "There's an inn. It's quiet and available to all who need it."
Cloud nodded and started to move past the woman but she caught his arm and held him still with a firmness that belied her stature.
"Just don't go causing trouble. Shinra are doing something big up top. Any trouble down here will gain attention that we don't want."
Cloud nodded in understanding, and Rhonda held his gaze for a moment before releasing him and returning to her post near the path.
Gesturing to the others, Cloud led the way in to town.
"You sure it's safe here?" Barret muttered, glancing back at the woman and her list of bounties.
"Yeah. For once there's nothing to worry about here."
"Help somebody please!" The shrill call of a young girl pierced the early morning.
"Except that." Cloud shrugged.
"Priscilla, what's wrong?" A townsperson rushed forward to meet the frantic child.
"A monster is attacking the boats! Please help!"
Cloud headed over to the panicked girl, looking back at the group as he went. "Get ready."
"For what?" Aerith cast him a confused glance as they ran.
"To meet the next member of the team."