Back onboard the Highwind, take Cid to Operations to make a new party and take off to begin your quest for the first two Huge Materia. You can pursue the Huge Materia at the Corel Reactor and Fort Condor in any order, but Barret seems pretty agitated and bent on protecting his hometown first. If your heart goes out to the big guy and you wish to placate him, pilot the Highwind to the Gold Saucer Area and head for the heart of Mt. Corel via North Corel. Defeat the Shinra Attack Squad guarding the reactor and run down the Shinra Coal Train. You'll have 10 minutes to catch up in your pilfered choo-choo, make your way to the engine, and stop the runaway locomotive* before it demolishes North Corel. You'll be able to continue even if you fail, but success is the only way to acquire the HUGE MATERIA. In addition, the little kid will give you ULTIMA MATERIA if you save the town. If not, you'll have to pay 50000 Gil for it! Before you leave, visit the left shack on the middle terrace and speak to the widow wearing a cap and she'll give you the CATASTROPHE Limit Break. Pilot the Highwind to the Junon Area and head for Fort Condor. Head for the lookout bunker and you'll discover Shinra is about to launch its final assault on the reactor. Use the same basic strategy used in previous battles, perhaps adding a few extra troops (refer to the Fort Condor Optional Quest for complete details about waging battle). However, it's almost more in your interest to save your money, allow the enemy march up to the shed unopposed, and defeat the Cmd. Grand Horn for the victory. Doing so will earn you an IMPERIAL GUARD, your earliest chance to obtain this impressive piece of armor. After the battle, go outside and pick up the PHOENIX MATERIA. Talk to the old man at the table and he'll give you the HUGE MATERIA. When you've completed both Huge Materia quests, Cid will suggest you return to Mideel to check on Cloud. Visit the dwelling on the left side of the main square and grab the ELIXIR on the old man's bed. Head for the Clinic and speak to Tifa. Battle with Ultimate Weapon until it flies away.


When Tifa arrives in Cloud's subconscious, talk to the far Cloud and head into Nibelheim. Then talk to the left Cloud and visit the Nibelheim well. Talk to the near-right Cloud and young Cloud, and head for the window outside Tifa's House. Talk to Cloud again and take the far path into Nibelheim one more time.

STRATEGY

Ultimate Weapon: This beast isn't really after you and it'll fly off after only a few rounds (or immediately if you cause enough damage or completely sap its MP). Ultimate Weapon can cast Quake2 and has a strong physical attack. It also has a very strong non-elemental attack that targets your entire party called Ultima Beam. Equip the Tetra Elemental or the [Earth-element (Earth or Titan)]-[Elemental] defensive combination if you feel it's necessary. Interestingly, you can also absorb the effects of the Ultima Beam by equipping a non-elemental Materia (such as Comet or Bahamut) and Elemental Materia in linked slots in your armor. Begin the battle by using Big Guard and make sure you steal the second CURSE RING before you let loose your best attacks (or a continuous flurry of Magic Hammer).

*NOTES



Shinra Engineer's Manual: To catch up to the Shinra Coal Train, operate the levers by alternating between [Up] and [T] to accelerate. It can be more difficult than it seems; try starting slowly and build up speed gradually once you find a rhythm. On the fourth car, you'll face the Eagle Gun. Make sure you steal from it as this will be your ONLY chance to acquire the WARRIOR BANGLE. Cid has 'theories' about how to stop the Shinra Coal Train, but they seem little more than guesses. There are several correct ways to trigger the brakes, but the key appears to be pulling the levers in unison. Just put your trust in Cid and do as he says and you'll be fine. If your efforts produce the counter-intended effect of increasing your speed, fear not. 'Tis merely a heightening of the drama, you're doing the right thing.