The morning journey to Junon began peacefully. For the first three hours, their eyes were treated to expanses of green grasslands and the lush remnants of a forest. However, the scenery gradually gave way, replaced by a coastal highway flanked by towering white limestone cliffs on one side, and... an endless expanse of blue on the other.
The sea breeze immediately brushed against their faces, carrying the fresh scent of salt and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks.
"KYAAAA! THE SEA! THE SEA! THE SEA! JOHNNY, LOOK! WOOOOOOW!" Aerith shrieked in delight. Half her body leaned forward as she pointed at the seemingly boundless horizon. Her eyes sparkled brightly.
Johnny only glanced out of the corner of his eye. While steering his motorcycle, he asked, "What do you think, Aerith?"
Aerith turned, her ribbon-tied hair fluttering in the sea breeze. Her smile bloomed wide, sincere and relieved. "I'm so happy... I can finally see it in person. This salty air, the crashing waves, an ocean this vast... The world really does still have so many miracles."
"YAHOOO! WE'RE RIDING A CRUISE SHIP AFTER THIS, PRINCESS!" Puck shouted gleefully while spinning in circles. "My throat is already dry! I can't wait to gobble down grilled shrimp, giant squid, and all of Junon's signature seafood!"
"Exactly, Princess!" Ivalera chimed in, not wanting to be outdone, her eyes already imagining a lavish feast. "Fresh sashimi! Pearl oysters in butter sauce! It's going to be so delicious! My stomach has been singing for a while now!"
With his deep baritone voice, Johnny reminded them, "Remember, we are going to Junon for a mission. Don't let your guard down, and definitely don't get seasick."
Aerith, Puck, and Ivalera placed their hands to their foreheads with mock-serious expressions and shouted in unison, "YES, BOSS!"
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The further west they drove, the more the sky gradually changed color. Not from rainclouds, but from smog.
On the horizon, the silhouette of natural cliffs began to vanish, replaced by a terrifying man-made structure. A massive fortress city protruded from the sea, clinging to the cliffs like a giant steel parasite. Exhaust pipes the size of train tunnels spewed thick green liquid directly into the ocean, killing the waves that should have been blue and turning them into an oily gray. In the center towered the Sister Ray—a colossal cannon of incomprehensible size. Its long barrel seemed to pierce the sky, clad in thick metal plating full of pipes and joints that pulsed faintly—as if the thing were alive.
Junon was once the capital of the Junon Republic, heavily focused on maritime trade that reached most of the world. It was a floating city built around several old wooden ships permanently moored in the nearby harbor. Despite being an industrial powerhouse, the Republic lost the war against Shinra and eventually ceased to exist as a nation. Today, Junon City stood as the second greatest symbol of Shinra's arrogance, right after Midgar.
"This city... It looks a lot like Midgar," Aerith murmured, her cheerful smile slowly fading.
"Of course. Every nation has its own way of showing off its quirks," Johnny replied flatly, his eye scanning the surroundings. "The question is, how do we get in?"
Johnny pulled his motorcycle over for a moment, comparing the main road ahead with the maps of Junon he had gathered. Junon was divided into two: Upper Junon (the Military City) and Lower Junon (the Undercity). Currently, the main road leading to the entrance of Upper Junon was heavily barricaded by lines of Shinra troopers, guard dogs, and several Sweeper mechs. Access was completely sealed off.
"We can't go through the front, Aerith. It's too conspicuous," Johnny decided. "We have to detour to Lower Junon. It's the old fishing town from the Republic era. I bet the security down there isn't as tight."
The smooth asphalt highway soon ended, transitioning into a muddy dirt road mixed with puddles of wastewater as they entered the Lower Junon area.
The atmosphere changed drastically. This town was a dilapidated shadow of the military glory above it. Sunlight could barely penetrate the giant steel plates that served as the town's ceiling. The wooden houses looked decayed, eaten away by salty vapor and air pollution. The passing locals stared at Johnny's modified motorcycle and his giant sword with suspicious glares hidden behind layers of fear.
Johnny slowed his motorcycle, maneuvering between empty fishing nets and rusted cans. The sound of the waves down here no longer felt fresh, but heavy as they crashed against the town's iron support pillars.
"It smells... and feels... sad," Aerith whispered. She pulled her scarf up to cover part of her nose. She could feel the cries of the Planet.
Johnny nodded grimly. However, his eye continued to scan the area, looking for a weakness. Far at the end of the dim town, he spotted a massive concrete pillar with a thick iron door. Two bored-looking Shinra troopers were standing guard in front of it. That was the elevator to Upper Junon.
"We've reached the bottom," Johnny said, killing the engine. He looked up toward the military city, glittering with searchlights that contrasted with the darkness below. "Now the hard part begins. We have to get up there and bring this bike with us."
Johnny reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out the VIP military access card Reno had given him. He observed the elevator gate from afar. However, he paused. His eye narrowed as he watched a civilian trying to enter, having to press their face against a glass panel emitting a blue laser.
"Damn it," Johnny cursed under his breath.
"What's wrong, Johnny?" Aerith asked anxiously.
"They're using Facial Recognition," Johnny explained, his jaw clenching. "It might still be safe for me. The system's identity database probably still registers me as a Shinra-affiliated worker or a Turk access holder. But for you? The moment your face is scanned, things will be different, Aerith."
"Then let's just dress the Princess up!" Puck exclaimed enthusiastically.
Ivalera popped out from the other side, giving a small clap. "That's right! Super heavy makeup! We fairies can also add a low-level illusion spell, Disguise Self. Regular optical sensors will be easily fooled!"
Johnny looked at the two fairies back and forth, then turned his gaze to Aerith. He let out a long sigh. "It's a logical idea. Even if I'm not entirely convinced... I'll leave Aerith to you two, then."
Aerith nodded eagerly. She stepped behind the hull of a rusted fishing boat to change into thicker clothing from the bike's luggage, accompanied by Puck and Ivalera, who were busy chanting spells amid twinkling lights.
Johnny stood with his back to the old ship, arms crossed over his chest. His massive frame served as a barricade against anyone intending to pass by. Every now and then, he glanced toward the elevator guard post, calculating the distance and the timing of the shift changes.
Ten minutes passed. Only the sound of rustling fabric and the dull crashing of waves could be heard.
Suddenly, from behind him, a hoarse and shrill voice called out.
"Young man, could you help me carry this bag?"
Johnny didn't turn around, his eye remaining fixed ahead. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm busy waiting for someone. Ask someone else."
THUD!
"You insolent brat! Have you no respect for your elders!"
A plump foot had just deliberately stomped on Johnny's steel-toed boot.
"Hey lady, what the—" Johnny spun around with a fierce glare, ready to snap. However, his words were cut short.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!" Puck and Ivalera burst into hysterical laughter, rolling around in mid-air. The "old lady" in front of him was also laughing uproariously while clutching her large belly.
"How about it? The Princess's disguise is amazing, right?!" Ivalera boasted proudly.
Johnny blinked. He looked the figure up and down. The disguise was utterly ridiculous. Aerith was wearing layers upon layers of clothing until she looked overweight, topped with an illusion spell that altered her facial structure into that of a grumpy middle-aged woman, complete with heavy, gaudy makeup typical of an obnoxious socialite. There was absolutely no trace of the flower girl left.
Johnny's deadpan face slowly showed a hint of admiration (and bewilderment). "Okay... this is actually brilliant. I was half-tempted to throw you into the ocean just now."
"Of course it is!" Aerith (in her hoarse voice), Puck, and Ivalera immediately struck a triumphant superhero pose.
Johnny shook his head, trying to regain his composure.
"Aerith, we're moving out. Puck, Ivalera, get inside the saddlebags. Use invisible mode," Johnny ordered firmly.
Puck looked like he wanted to protest the cramped space, but Ivalera immediately pulled the male fairy by the ear. The two quickly slipped into the thick leather bags, hiding among the stack of hard bread left over from their Kalm supplies.
Johnny got back onto his modified motorcycle. He dropped his relaxed posture. His back was now straight, rigid, and cold, exactly like an elite military bodyguard. He gestured with a nod of his head.
"Get on. From this second forward, you are a VIP guest, a wealthy lady who hired a Shinra escort for a vacation to Costa del Sol," Johnny whispered as the engine roared to life with a smooth purr. "Remember, don't speak unless absolutely necessary. Let me handle the guards. You just need to sit quietly, and give them..."
Johnny glanced back slightly, looking at Aerith's heavily made-up illusion face.
"...the most obnoxiously condescending smile you can muster."