Barret's Past

Barret's Past is the fourteenth chapter in Final Fantasy VII, and the fifth chapter of the second act, "Pursuit". As Cloud Strife, Barret Wallace, Tifa Lockhart, Aerith Gainsborough, and Red XIII travel past Mt. Corel to reach Sephiroth, they come across North Corel, the remains of Barret's hometown.
== Walkthrough ==
=== Mt. Corel ===
==== First half ====
After leaving Costa del Sol, head south, then up a plateau to the right, and around the mountain to reach a mountain path. Following the mountain path will lead to the other side of a mountain, with a cave inside that marks the entrance to Mt. Corel.
Mt. Corel is home to a number of enemies that have relatively low HP, but are fought in groups. This makes All Materia paired with offensive magic very helpful, along with the Enemy Skill Materia's Matra Magic ability. This also makes it a good place to farm the level 2 Limit Break for any party member that is missing it, and the Search Crown's Four Laser attack will build the gauge quickly. As many of the enemies are flying, Earth Materia should be avoided but pairing Choco/Mog with Elemental Materia is effective. The Bagnadrana, if fought, has high HP but appears in smaller numbers; stealing from it will reward the Diamond Pin for Red XIII.
In Mt. Corel's mountain road entrance, a single non-player character will warn a man in a black cape was found ahead. From here is a linear path north to a mako reactor where slightly different enemies appear but the strategy is the same. The reactor itself cannot be entered, and the goal is simply to proceed south to the valley. Despite the branching paths from the rail bridge, there are no secret routes, and the only path is to proceed forward. The Bomb is fought here, a tough potentially self-destructing enemy which has high HP but is weak to Ice. Cokatolis is another bird enemy with high HP that is weak to Wind.
==== Railroad ====
Reaching the railroad will lead to a save point, as the path ahead leads along thin railway tracks. Along this path are three pitfalls in the rail structure; falling deliberately and holding and or during the fall grants access to the Wizard Staff (a weapon for Aeris with double AP) and the Star Pendant (accessory that grants immunity to Poison) respectively. It is ideal to fall through two pitfalls on purpose. The enemies here are the same as the rest of the dungeon, but in different formations.
At the first fork, go up to find a W Machine Gun (double AP weapon for Barret), then head down, and up to the left to obtain a Turbo Ether and a Transform Materia. It is better to not actually start leveling up this Materia, as the next party member who joins will come with one that is already filled with some AP.
At the next fork, heading down will simply meet up with other characters not in the party, as the bridge is out blocking the path ahead; this grants an opportunity to use PHS and change party members if desired. To proceed, head up from the fork and along the path to a shack; enter it and select "Do it" to open the bridge from below, allowing the other characters to proceed. Climbing the mountain to the right will lead to a Cokatolis nest, where choosing to take the treasure grants ten Phoenix Downs after a Cokatolis battle (but ignoring it means they are lost).
Follow the rest of the party down the bridge after it was lowered from the shack to reach a fork. Down the left is a cave with a Tent, a Mind Source, and a Power Source, as well as a non-player character who will just remark in surprise. The path right leads to a bridge, where Bombs can be fought once more, before reaching North Corel.
=== North Corel ===
Upon arriving in North Corel, Barret will talk to its residents (if he is in the party, he will go on ahead; otherwise, he will be found confronted by them already). Approaching him will lead to them scolding him, before he turns to the party to apologize. In the town, an inn can be used for 50 gil, and a few shops are available, though they offer little of note.
Head left to the Ropeway Station that leads up to the Gold Saucer. The party is gathered here, and Barret will narrate a short flashback cutscene, before the chapter ends. Taking the ropeway to the Gold Saucer will lead to the next chapter, "Sanctuary of Amusement".
== Citations ==
Category:Chapters in Final Fantasy VII