"I don't want to go!" Lina complained.
"Come on, Lina. This will be good training for when we go to the New World to fight Darkstar. Besides, it will be interesting to see how the Returners fight. I'm looking forward to it since I haven't fought for such a long time. My sword is probably rusting," Gourry said. Ameria nodded.
"He's right, Lina-san! We can't let those villains of injustice get away with stealing! Stealing is evil!" Ameria urged while attaching her Sailoon arm bands back on her arms from her ball gown.
"This might prove to be a challenge for us four again," Zelgadis said while slightly smiling. "Judging from the monsters I've already seen, this should be difficult. Besides, the Returners look like excellent fighters. This will be a chance to gain experience and learn some magic from them. You always want to learn new spells."
"I know, but I wanted to go home and relax before I started fighting again! Right after this we'll have to go to the New World and defeat a Dark lord and who knows what else! I'm sick of all this!" She moaned.
"You're not scared are you?" Gourry asked slyly. Lina choked as she turned and hit him over onto the floor in anger.
"I haven't hit you in a long time. I feel better now! Lina Inverse is not scared of ANYTHING! Now just watch me go out there and blow that little fox and his lizard friend to hell!" She said shrewdly. Ameria laughed knowing that Gourry could trick Lina into anything. Firia looked worried.
"Perhaps I chose the wrong person to accompany me to defeat Darkstar..." She said slowly. Lina gritted her teeth.
"Are you trying to tell me that you're coming along to fight for the Airship too? Can't you just turn into a dragon and fly us out of here?" Lina asked. She blushed.
"I couldn't! Edgar would surely find out and I'd feel awfully embarrassed! Besides, what would he think if I stayed behind while all of you fight? I may look timid but I am strong! It is my duty as a Karyuoh to come along with you and fight the Empire," she explained hastily. She looked proud as she held her dragon jewel. Zangulas looked up from polishing his sword.
"I haven't sword fought in a long time. This should be interesting," he said happily. Gourry nodded. Zelos grinned.
"Maybe the espers will allow us to use their powers. This should be easy anyway," he commented in a laid back voice. Firia glared at him.
"I don't need a Mazoku's help! Why don't you just teleport out of this place anyway?" She snapped. He sighed.
"And leave Relm? If she's going then I need to come and watch after her to make sure that she's all right. I promised to protect her and I'm not going down on that," he replied in a soft voice. Firia softened.
"If you're a monster then why are you so nice to children? Your superior wouldn't like it," Firia said curiously. He grinned.
"I guess I have a little weak spot for those eyes," he said secretly. Lina giggled.
"Such sweet words for the general and priest of the Beast Master!" She said slyly. Firia nodded. Lina sighed. "Well, they're getting ready to leave. Let's go!" She said in a determined voice. Everyone nodded. Shilfiell and Martina timidly approached them.
"We're coming too," Shilfiell said shyly. Gourry shook his head.
"Don't talk stupid, Shilfiell! You'll get yourself hurt!" He said in a concerned voice.
"I can't just sit here and wait for you to come back wondering if something has happened to you. You may need my healing and I promise not to get in the way. I can cast a Dragon Slave remember? I'm not all bad," she replied in a convincing voice. Martina nodded.
"I can't let Zangulas-sama leave without me! Zomel Gustav will help me through it!" She said confidently. Zangulas shrugged.
"I'm going to have to keep a good watch on you or you might get yourself killed, dear," he said cheerfully. She blushed and slightly giggled. Lina sighed.
"I guess we have no choice but to bring them... Let's get going, everyone! To the Empire!" She declared. The group all raised their weapons and cheered.
"Can't these Chocobos go a little faster?" Celes complained as they traveled out of the desert. All of the fighters were saddled to the yellow-feathered birds as they squawked happily. The chancellor was in charge of Figaro until the king's return. Edgar looked nervous about it. They were going first to South Figaro and then onto a ship that was heading to the Southern Continent.
"We're almost there," Edgar replied. Firia pulled her Chocobo beside him.
"Who did you say was behind this?" She asked.
"Probably Kefka, the leader of the Empire. I don't think he's going to give up on getting his hands on Terra. This must be bait, but we have no choice but to take it. If that esper combines powers with him then there will be no telling what will happen," he explained.
"You have nothing to worry about, Firia. That brute strength of yours will be more the enough against Kefka. He may be able to stand against the esper's magical powers but not against a woman's scorn single handed," he said sarcastically. She laughed cheerfully.
"Let's just see how good you are against some real monsters, Lina!" Locke said happily. She grinned.
"Don't get in my way or you'll be blown to bits!" She replied.
"You're awfully full of yourself, Miss Sorceress!" Relm interrupted. "Zelos told me about your shrewdly actions!"
"Don't listen to ANYTHING he says!" Lina shouted. Firia nodded.
"Exactly, Relm-chan," she agreed. Zelos grunted from behind.
"Oh, Firia, is that a glint of gold I see from under your skirt?" He asked in a sneaky voice. She frantically blushed and pulled her cape down.
"It's nice to know that you pay so much attention to my skirt!" She snapped. He laughed at her and her cheeks puffed out in anger again.
"You youngins and your arguments confuse me," Strago said in an exhausted voice.
"Are you feeling up to this, Grandpa?" Relm asked sweetly. He nodded.
"I'm just hot from this blasted desert. Edgar just has to live in the middle of nowhere!" He moaned.
"You said it!" Locke agreed. Gau nodded trying not to hit the Chocobo with his claws.
"It hot!" He whined.
"Sir Gau, if you cannot contain the heat then how do you expect to defeat Kefka?" Cyan asked. Gau mumbled something that Cyan couldn't hear. Ameria laughed.
"Gau-san, will fight bravely I'm sure! We won't let those villains get away with their evil deeds!" She declared with her hand in the air.
"You're right, Ameria! Kefka's not going to get away from Returners this time!" Gau said confidently. "Slayers help us defeat! You strong!"
"Our magic is different from yours. Perhaps we can learn from you," Zelos suggested. Terra gasped.
"You mean the espers? Goodness no! It may not seem like it, but they have emotions and minds of their own. I'm sure that unless you sincerely devoted yourselves they wouldn't allow you to use their power. They can make decisions of their own. It may seem dangerous for them to let outsiders of Final Fantasy use them," she explained. "I would know..."
"But it would prove so useful!" Ameria urged.
"Right, I want to learn every kind of spell there is!" Lina declared. Setzer shook his head.
"They can be dangerous beasts don't know you? Leave them alone. They only really trust Terra and Celes, but we can call upon them but the effect isn't nearly as strong," he continued. Gourry nodded.
"Maybe it's for the better that you don't try, Lina," he said in a concerned voice. She shrugged. Shilfiell hung down her head.
"What happens if we try and they allow us to use them?" She asked sweetly. Terra paused in thought.
"Then you must be truly trusted by their instincts. I doubt that will happen unless you feel very strong emotion toward the spell you're casting. Rage, madness, sadness, regret, love perhaps..." She replied.
"Terra, are you really going to try talking to that esper?" Zelgadis asked.
"Yes, I'll try... I have to." She replied in a forlorn voice.
"What if you fail and it rebels?" He continued in a concerned voice.
"I'm strong enough to handle it... Strong enough to protect you that is," she said. He turned away.
"Don't remind me! I'll be just fine in the fight. You watch after your own hide, not mine."
"I'll be fine."
South Figaro gradually came into sight in the distance. Edgar led them in as they dismounted their Chocobos and boarded the small ship that would take them down South by Edgar's order. The water was swift and would bring them out far in the breeze that day. Most of the fighters would stay on the inside of the ship to sleep while a few others watch the outside for attacks.
"It's not like Kefka to not attack on our way there. He always does that, he said that was his main strategy when I was still with them..." Celes said in an unsure voice. "I'm going to stay here and watch out for any action."
"If you want," Edgar said. Lina moaned.
"I'll probably starve out here," she said as she stared out at the stretch of blue, sparkling water. That was all she could see for miles and miles. Firia sighed.
"What do you mean? Edgar is king so there are plenty of supplies on this ship."
"Not enough to feed me."
"Just relax, Lina," Gourry said to her from across the ship. "We'll do fine."
"I feel homesick..." Martina moaned. Zangulas put a comforting arm around her.
"After this we will be home."
"I want to learn some magic from you if I'm going to be stuck out here!" Lina declared.
"It was an esper that helped me save you," Locke said. "The Phoenix."
"Phoenix? As in the bird of great flames?" Ameria asked.
"Right, it has the power to heal and even reawaken the dead," he continued looking forlorn. "But it only works once I think... Of course if you felt very strongly about saving that dead loved one it might allow you to do so... Even if it is only for a few short seconds..."
"Reawaken the dead..." Shilfiell whispered in a slightly scared voice.
"It also has great fire and ice spell attacks."
"I want to learn its spells!" Ameria declared. Locke smiled at her persistence.
"Then try it!" He said joyfully. He lifted himself and concentrated strongly on the magi in his veins. He pictured great flames arising into the water and then dying away. He slowly chanted as Ameria watched closely. "Oh, great Phoenix with flames that shine so bright, now please deliver your light..." He whispered. A flame appeared at his fingertips forming into a great bird. It quietly howled and set a small fire in the water, which quickly died out, under the waves.
"See? You have to deeply concentrate on that espers power and put a picture in your mind of what you want it to do. It will follow your command if it trusts you. I'm sure the Phoenix knows that you don't have the slightest bit of evil in your soul, Ameria."
"Alright, leave it to me!" She said proudly. Gau drew close to watch at Lina's side. Everyone turned to her.
"Oh, great Phoenix with flames that shine so bright, now please deliver your light..." She quietly chanted. Everything was still motionless and silent. "Why won't it work? I concentrated very hard... Phoenix doesn't trust me?" She asked. Terra shook her head.
"Phoenix says that you're not ready yet. He says that you have to feel very strongly about something if he is to grant you his power. He is very timid about letting an outsider cast his spells," she answered. Ameria sighed.
"I wonder if I'll ever feel really strongly about using that kind of power in battle. I'm not nearly as violent as Lina-san..." She shrugged. Lina laughed.
"My magic is probably more affective anyway. Come on, let's get some sleep."
"Terra, watch yourself... You don't understand what is going to happen to you, The Returners, and The Slayers... It is dangerous and will possibly be one of your most difficult tasks. Please take care of yourself and don't let Kefka catch you no matter what the cost... The other one..." Maduin was speaking to her through telepathy as she silently slept. She searched for words in the back of her mind to question back.
"The esper with him?" She asked timidly.
"Yes, but he... He's not..." The message was becoming unclear like Maduin couldn't find the words to continue. Terra tried to feel deeper into her mind to hear his conclusion. "Please don't hurt him Terra... He's not..." There was nothing else but silence. Terra slowly lifted her eyes open.
"He's not what?" She pleaded aloud. "What do you mean? I don't understand, Father..." She continued. She felt a howl in her head. It pounded like as hard as drums. "Bahamut? That's you isn't it? What is wrong? Tell me!" She urged. It faded like her father's voice leaving her perplexed. "Firia... Is Firia alright, Bahamut?"
She rushed to the inside section of the ship. Firia was sleeping soundlessly beside Relm and Strago, sighing deeply like a child.
"I wonder..." Terra whispered.
"Bahamut is crying..." It was Firia. "Crying in my head. Screaming in my head at me, pounding in my brain until I couldn't take it anymore..." She whispered. She slowly rose from the bed and followed Terra outside to the deck. She fell over and Terra supported her on her shoulder.
"Bahamut spoke to you?" Terra asked in a concerned voice.
"Yes... He spoke very clearly in my head through telepathy. He said that we shouldn't take this mission lightly and that we have to stay together through it no matter what. We have to protect each other from the danger that lies ahead. He's very afraid for your safety and mine. He said that our enemy is not what he appears to be... I feel a throbbing in my chest that grows more and more as we inch toward the Southern Continent. My jewel will even start glowing at times. I'm scared, Terra. Bahamut started screaming and crying after the message and just wouldn't stop. I kept biting my lip from screaming, but I can't take the pain... What have I done?" She explained. Terra put her hand on her shoulder.
"I felt it too... Bahamut is calling but he won't tell me why or what the message exactly means. Not my Father either. We have to fight, fight and win." Terra declared. Firia's eyes gleamed.
"But I... Why is Bahamut calling? Something must be happening to the dragon kind but what? I hope that Saichro-sama is all right..." She said calmly.
"I'm sure that they're fine. You must have very peaceful people who couldn't cause any harm... Look over there," Terra pointed into the sketched distance. "The Empire is drawing near. I'm going to go get Celes. Your head... If you feel any more messages tell me!" She said as she rushed inside. Firia sat there just looking forlorn as the Empire drew closer. She grasped her jewel. She sensed someone behind her. She turned around.
"Why so sad?" It was Edgar. She sighed.
"I don't know. I think it's because I don't know why, that I am sad..." She said softly.
"I don't understand. Terra looks frantic. Is everything alright?" He asked. Firia pointed into the distance.
"The Empire is here to fight... Vector is coming into view... Fire, flame, ashes, blood, I can see all of it staining the streets even from here. It feels awful." She whispered.
"I know that you've been melancholy, Firia. What is it?" He asked.
"There's a throbbing in my chest that I can't stop and I don't quite know why it is there." She stood. "It doesn't matter. I came here to fight and that's what I'm going to do."
"It really isn't your concern."
"I'm not fighting for myself. I'm fighting for everyone else."
"So let it be, Firia. The Empire is too close for you or anyone else to run now. This shouldn't be hard for any of us now that we've combined forces." He said as he put his arm around her comfortingly.
"But I'm scared... You don't understand how hard this will be..." She said softly.
"Why are you thinking so dimly of the battle? It's just a few soldiers. We'll be fine and yet you sound like this is threatening our lives."
"Maybe you should listen to her, Bro," Sabin said from behind. "Terra looks awfully concerned. I've never seen her quite like this and Firia looks the same."
"Over reacting don't you think, Firia-san," Zelos appeared with Strago and Relm at his sides. Relm was clutching his arm tightly. "You shouldn't be getting everyone else all riled up about the fight."
"We'll manage fine!" Ameria said happily.
"Exactly, Ameria! We have power over them!" Gau agreed.
"Don't look so serious!" Lina exclaimed with Gourry at her side. Shilfiell approached her.
"Don't worry, Firia. Let's go!" She signaled. Celes nodded and steered the ship up to the shores of the tall, green forests. Vector lay beyond there. They all abandoned the ship with their weapons in hand side by side. Celes led them safely through the forest and warned them about the guards in Vector and that they had to stay quiet at all costs. They followed her instructions and crept onto the burnt streets.
The streets were clear and silent. A cold wind swept by them. Its howl was the only noise there.
"No guards? Kefka must be saving them inside. Let's hurry to the fortress!" Celes said urgently. The group rushed up behind her toward the huge black fortress. "Kefka is no weakling, watch yourselves! Beware of the guard's trickery, they're not as dumb as they look!" She called back to them. Locke smiled.
"Having a traitor from the Empire on our side is very useful!" He said cheerfully.
"It's coming into view now!" Strago yelled. "Relm, you had better watch yourself. I'll try to keep my left eye on you."
"You fight for your own hide, Grandpa. Zelos and Firia will take care of me. Trust them." Relm replied softly. Strago turned to Firia.
"Protect her carefully, my dear," he said in a friendly voice. She smiled back at him.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure that she's okay." She reassured him. Zelos grunted.
"Haven't you forgotten someone here?" He asked. Relm grabbed his arm.
"Let's go get em', Big Brother!" She said excitedly.
The door swung open as they approached the fortress steps. The Empire was patiently waiting beyond there.
"Must be nice to the hostage," Jirasu said joyfully as he polished the sides of the Airship. Kurabos nodded beside him as they continued to shine it. Chains tied the Airship down with cannons aiming at it from all angles. Valgarb and Kefka sat on the other side of the room sipping at glasses of wine while waiting for the group to show up.
"Would you quit polishing that thing and start preparing the Magictek armor?" Valgarb commanded in an annoyed voice. They frantically nodded and rushed over to the armored suits that were waiting for them. Since Jirasu and Kurabos weren't very good fighters Kefka allowed them to use the Magictek armor to fight.
"Remember, we don't want to kill them yet. We want to capture them. Try to knock them unconscious, then take them to the laboratory. We're counting on you!" Kefka said hastily. Jirasu nodded hastily as he slipped into the large metal suit with Kurabos following.
"It's hard to control these!" Jirasu moaned. "Say what's the big red button do?" He asked curiously.
"That triggers your Fire Beam. The Blue one controls the Ice Beam. The gray one will set off a Bullet Beam, and the last green one will heal your armor." Kefka explained. Kurabos smiled to himself.
"This sounds fun but I'm kind of scrunched in here... I think I'm a little big for the cockpit." He said softly.
"Quit complaining and get the troops lined up! They're already in the fortress you know! Get going!" Valgarb commanded. They hastily exited in the heavy armor, almost ramming into each other down the halls with their clumsy control. Jirasu stopped. He heard an echo down the hall.
"What is it?" Kurabos asked on the intercom.
"It's her! I could tell that loud, shrewdly voice from anywhere! Come on troopers!" Jirasu instructed to the armed soldiers behind them. They all proudly nodded with their swords and weapons in hand. Kurabos grinned.
"Here they come!"
"Lina, can you really cast a Giga Slave?" Terra asked in a concerned voice. Lina grinned proudly.
"Of course I can! What do you expect from the most powerful sorceress in the world?" She said in an egotistical voice.
"You're not going to call up the Lord of Nightmares to beat Kefka! Is that clear?" Celes asked in an angered voice.
"I already promised that I wouldn't... But sometimes it's the only if the enemy is too strong-"
"Like us!" Jirasu interrupted. "Hello, hello, Miss Lina Inverse! We've been waiting for you!" He said loudly from inside the armor. Lina gasped.
"That voice! It's the low time thief that stole our Airship so that we would be stuck here! Oh, man, are you ever going to get it! No one ever wants to piss me off!" She screamed. A fire glowed at her fingertips.
"Wait!" Celes cried.
"FIRE BALL!" Lina cried as she released the ball of flames at the two sets of armor. The flames quickly died out around them, without affecting the outside metal or the pilots. Jirasu laughed.
"See that you stupid sorceress! When your magic takes no effect, you're helpless! Get them guys!" Jirasu commanded the guards. They immediately rose from behind. Lina just sat there dumfounded. Celes rushed to her side.
"That's what I was about to tell you! Magic like that doesn't affect Magictek armor!" She exclaimed.
"Magictek armor?" Zelgadis asked.
"Yes, machines that are driven with magic links from the direct magi of an esper. They're very strong! I was a pilot for them ever since I was a child! If I could find a stray one then I could really kick some ass!" She continued. Martina shivered behind Zangulas.
"There are so many of them!" She said in a scared voice. He drew his sword.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it! You back me up and if any attacks are coming at my back, then guard me with Zomel Gustav, alright?" He assured her. She slowly nodded and gulped. Shilfiell hid in the corner until the time was right for healing or when she was actually mad enough to cast a real flare arrow. Firia hastily drew her mace and rushed to Strago's side with Relm following. Two guards came for them with samurai swords in hand. Their heavy armor looked difficult to break.
Firia brought her mace and hit the first guard over with extreme force.
"She's so strong! That's inhuman! Get that girl!" The guard called from the floor. He unsteadily stood back up. "You'll have to do better than that, darlin'" he said in a confident voice. She looked around as more guards swarmed around her.
"God's breath, spirits of fire, now reach me, Flame Breath!" She chanted quietly. A seal of fire formed around a group of three guards. The force and strength of its pull wore them down until they lied helpless on the floor and got scorched in flames. They trembled in pain yet were still alive.
"What magical power... Get that one for Kefka!" One cried slowly between moans of pain. Firia brought up her mace, ready for the next group. Strago shot at the next group of guards with his fire rod which bounced off of their heavy armor, taking no effect. While he continued to try to fight them off, Relm quickly sketched their figures and commanded them to fight their counterparts. The clones were quickly destroyed by the slashes of their strong swords.
They fiercely brought up their swords and hit Strago over, his rod bouncing out of his grasp as he violently hit the floor with a moan of pain. Relm rushed to him urgently.
"Grandpa, hold out!" She said hastily. She drew her paintbrush and tried to thrust it at the trooper. The attack took no affect and she was open. The guard kicked at her legs with heavy armor boots. She felt them sprain as she hit the hard floor. Her vision was blurry from sweat in her eyes. She closed them for a brief second to relieve the sting and when she opened them, the trooper was ready with his sword to slash at her chest. Her legs tightened with fear and she felt immobilized with pain. She screamed loudly.
With a blink of her eye she saw Zelos teleport before her cowering body. He drew his staff and it clashed with the sword. Zelos chanted a strange spell that Relm could tell was bringing forth the darkness. The guard was engulfed in a black portal. She felt him gather her tightly up in his arms. She blinked and then saw herself in the air, huddled in his arms. She hugged him.
"Thank you, Big Brother!" She said sweetly. He smiled and floated back down to the floor near the corner. Shilfiell stood there watching Gourry. Zelos handed Relm to her.
"Shilfiell, heal her up." He said as he teleported away. Ameria ran to Strago's side and began healing his wound as Gau distracted the enemies with his Rages. He sank his sharp claws into their jaws until they screamed and spit up blood on his face. He agilely jumped away as the soldier fell over in macabre pain. He smiled to himself.
"Thank you, dear," Strago said gently as he rose to join the battle. Ameria nodded back politely. She rushed to Gau side.
"Let's get em', Gau-san!" She said in a determined voice. He joyfully nodded. She put her hand on his arm and he blushed. "Elemekia Lance!" She cried. He saw a green light glow on his claws. "Now, Gau-san! Attack now!"