"A ship has just crashed up on the boat port! Call the elder in!" A sailor called down to the frantic town's people of Nikeah. The other crewmembers hastily rushed the villagers' back into town from the harbor while running to see elder. Merchants lined the town walls, selling items from all over the world that ships had brought in. Nikeah was the only village with boating transportation. All sorts of people and goods sailed in on the gallant ships into Nikeah for visiting,
The town's people moved back to make room for the passing sailors to get immediately through to the elder. Locke gasped as they rudely pushed him out of their path. Locke grunted watching them continue to run. He slyly slipped over to a merchant on the street and leaned over to speak to him while at the same time he was sneaking goods into his pouch.
"Hey! What's all the commotion about?" Locke asked in a carefree voice. The merchant sighed and turned around to face him.
"I heard a wrecked boat just crashed up on our harbor," he replied. "It's a real mess! I guess the sailors are trying to get a hold of the elder. The captain stayed behind to search the ship over," he continued. Locke secretly slipped a few more fruits into his pouch and simply replied, "Thanks!"
Locke walked quietly down the loud streets, listening to all the gossip around him. He fingered his pouch and a sudden thought struck him.
"A wrecked ship... That can only mean..." Locke paused and then exploded with energy. "Treasure!" he cried out loud. He dashed toward the harbor with the villagers' staring at him strangely. Locke gasped for air as he reached the harbor. The captain was already boarding the ship to search around.
"Let me help!" Locke cried up to him. The captain nodded and silently let down the rope for Locke to climb up on.
The ship was ripped to shreds. Broken wood was every where, with spiny, sharp, edges. The wheel wasn't intact and the flag and mast were torn off from pressure and wind. Locke approached the broken edges and fingered it carefully.
"There's blood all over this ship! What did the crewmembers do? Kill each other?" Locke asked. The captain walked top his side and examined it carefully.
"It would seem so... Blood is staining the floors and edges. It's even on the side of the ship!" He exclaimed. "I suppose the whole crew is dead," he continued. Locke turned his head and gasped.
"Don't assume yet, Pops! C'mere!" Locke called. He ran to the rail of the ship edge. A young redhead girl sat limp over it, weak, and lifeless. Dried blood was surrounding her like a shadow. Her hair was matted and dirty with drops of blood dripping down from her mouth and on her gloves. Blood was even smeared under her large eyes. Her outfit was ripped with scars covering her body.
The captain gasped.
"She must be dead! There's no way she can be saved now," he said while examining her battered body. He shook his head. "There is nothing we can do for her now... She is too wounded. She will die soon if she isn't dead already," he explained. Locke eyed the girl with eyes gleaming with sympathy.
"No!" Locke cried. "You're wrong! I can save her!" He said in a hopeful voice. The captain grunted.
"What would you know? You just look like a good for nothing thief!" He exclaimed. Locke clinched in anger. Not only was there no treasure on board but to be called a thief... Oh, he's gonna get it!
"What did you call me? That's TREASURE HUNTER!!!" Locke screamed. He grunted. "Do you want me to save the girl or don't you?" He asked persistently. The captain sighed.
"Save her..." He replied simply knowing that Locke must be crazy to think he could save a nearly dead girl. Locke grinned.
"Good! Go back and tell the elder about these events! In that time I'll work my magic!" He said in an egotistical voice. The captain slowly nodded and rushed off to see the elder with his crewmembers worried about what he might be up to.
Locke lifted his trembling arms in the air and focused his power forth. Magi streamed up his veins and into his brain, short-circuit. Sparkles danced off his fingertips and he closed his eyes to concentrate.
"Oh, great Phoenix... Come forth and owe me your power to heal this battered body! Give me your power of life!" A light flashed in his hands and fell down on to the girl. White light engulfed her body with Locke pressuring his powers forth strongly. He moaned with stress as the huge bird of fire came forth from his fingertips. The light slowly faded revealing the girl's body untouched from blood or scars.
Lina stood tall on the hills of the harbor. Sailors were scrambling around everywhere repairing the ship. Most of the blood had been washed and cleaned off. It was ironic that Lina refused to tell them the details of what happened. She didn't want to talk to anyone! It just didn't matter anymore what events happened on that ship that caused all of her misery.
The first time down on the harbor she thought she would be tramatized from seeing the dried blood staining the sharp wood ends. The broken sides imprinted with Zelgadis's finger marks. It was awful and they made her see it again! The elder wanted her to claim information on the case for the ship. They wanted to know if the crew was murdered and such. By not talking to any of them Lina was putting up a risk for herself. What if they thought she murdered the crew? She could very well be charged with that.
The sailors discovered on their own that the ship had been sent from Sailoon, by the crest on the tattered mast. The news had come in from Sailoon that they were sailing to the New World for studies. Therefore the case had been closed as that the Sailoon ship was sailing to the New World yet one of the sailors didn't want to achieve it. They murdered the crew and wrecked the ship to prevent it from making it there.
The case was only temporary of course. They needed the reasoning behind what they figured out so far. What happened to the murderer? Why didn't they want to go to the New World? And if this girl, this Lina girl, was innocent like she claimed then why was she the only one left?
"I hate them!" Lina thought with tears clouding in her eyes. "I hate all of them! I refuse to say a word to them! There's nothing more to say... There just isn't anything to say!" Lina fell to the ground. She pulled her knees up into her face and began to cry again. She had remembered the pain, the hurting... On her body and inside her heart! If this damn thing was going to happen to her of all people then why couldn't she hit her head and get amnesia to forget all about it?
Locke silently walked through the streets of Nikeah. Treasure hunting just wasn't on his mind today. He was too concerned about Lina to think about anything else. The elder was taking it very harshly on her... Storming into Locke's house... Grabbing her by the arm... Screaming in her ears to tell him everything... Dammit! She just lost everyone and everything and he wanted her to tell them about it!
Locke clenched his fist just thinking of their selfishness. But even so, if Lina didn't say anything soon she would be arrested and taken to the south with empire to be jailed. He turned the corner still searching for her. Locke himself knew she had been tramatized and was going through extreme shock... He had to find her somewhere! She wouldn't even talk to anyone unless it was him. Like how she explained the real truth about the wreck.
He slowly approached the harbor. Lina was lying on the silent earth sobbing. Locke's eyes gleamed in sympathy. Was there anything he could do for her? The only he could do was get Setzer to take her home. Locke walked to her side and comforted her in his arms, rocking her gently. Tears dripped onto his clothes, soaking them as she leaned closer in his arms. He stroked her fire, red hair soothingly as she sighed like a child.
"Why? Why do they want me to talk about it so much?" Lina asked between gasps of air. Locke grunted.
"Because they're heartless people who don't think about the things that affect other people..." He explained slowly. Lina bit her lip in anger.
"There's nothing more to say..." She whispered. Locke wearily nodded and pulled Lina up. She walked at his side the whole way home, arm in arm.
"Do you really mean case closed?"
"Yes, the girl has proven herself innocent. Just a few days ago she admitted the whole case to the elder! Now everything is settled and Nikeah can keep on livin' without worrying about a murderer in town!" The sailor exclaimed happily. He looked up and admired the repaired ship all ready the sail again back to Sailoon.
The sailor slowly turned around to find the figure talking to him gone. He sighed, knowing all sorts of weird sorts poured into Nikeah.
Jirasu grunted. He tore of his scarf that was covering the bottom part of his face. He clinched his fist. Too bad the little magic using bitch wasn't charged guilty. Then master wouldn't have to worry about getting rid of her. Of course he needed his own revenge though. But it would still be fun to Lina screaming with her head in a guillotine!
He walked down the back alley and into the darkness. It was wet and moist from the broken pipes. No one had walked down these paths in years. Silent, gloomy, and dreary... Almost like Kefka's palace. That's right! Kefka sent on this mission to get secret information! How lucky he was to be seen so highly! Even Valgarb-sama neglected him.
A shadowy figure was waiting in the corner, silently grinning to himself.
"So, she's guilty right? Goin' to the guillotine, right, Jirasu?" The gruff voice asked. Jirasu sighed and grudgingly shook his head.
"Nope... The little brat was proved innocent!" He moaned in reply. The figure grunted.
"Too bad! Oh, well ye have a strong master to get rid of the little nuisance. He could beat her any day right?" The voice continued. Jirasu nodded proudly with great pride in Valgarb. He was so lucky to find a companion in is investigation in Nikeah.
"Of course! Don't worry about it, Lone Wolf," he said happily. The gruff wolf aroused from the shadows with an evil look in his face. He was covered in jewels, gold, and other precious items and armor. A common thief among the streets with an eye patch over one eye. Jirasu was lucky enough someone of his kind wondering around Nikeah to help him. Even though Kefka and Valgarb forbid him to give out any information he couldn't help it. After all Lone Wolf WAS a villain. A little, sneaky, pickpocket!
If Lone hadn't ran into Miss Lina Inverse they wouldn't have met. Trying to steal her purse while passing by isn't a good idea. Especially since she attaches it to her cape for protection from thieves like him. There was Lone tumbling down the streets with Lina hysterically laughing at him, standing over him happily with victory. She held her purse high in the air still laughing. Then we all know what ALSO happens to thieves who try to steal from the great Lina Inverse... "FIRE BALL!!!"
Jirasu had watched from the back alley while keeping a close eye on Lina. Poor Lone was burnt to a crisp on the ground with Lina giggling on the way home. That's how the two become companions as fox and wolf.
"I'll get that little witch back even if it's the last thing I do!" Lone Wolf cried while remembering the event. "She's disgraced my whole reputation as thief forever! I won't let her make me look low time! I'm the great Lone Wolf!" He cried. He snickered and Jirasu followed along. The two slapped hands and ran out into the busy streets of Nikeah.
Lina lazily walked by Locke's side, proudly smiling at the villagers. Her cheeks were rosy red instead of tear stained her eyes wide and beautiful. Her red curls swung back behind her gracefully. She felt so much better than before... Fighting the pain, the emotion, the hurting... All those emotions she had kept hidden under her enthusiasm until now. Finally releasing them helped her see through her sad tears of grief.
After all she couldn't sit around and feel sorry for herself forever. She was young and still had a life to live. Locke had already sent a letter out to his friend, Setzer, to take her home in the airship. She couldn't fly all the way back, no magician could. It was much too far. But still back in her brain every once in a while something would snap... Gourry's smiling face... The wreck... Ameria... Zelgadis... She wasn't tramatized was she?
"Hey, Lina, I think you should meet my girlfriend Celes. I think you would really like her. She used to be a general of the Empire. Cool, huh?" Locke exclaimed cheerfully. Lina smiled.
"Girlfriend? Well, knowing you I expect she'd be a general," Lina paused to grin at Locke who grunted. "Well, why do you two live so far apart?" Lina asked. Locke sighed.
"I want to travel and look for treasure... But Celes wants to settle in one place and actually live together..."He replied slowly. Lina laughed.
"Why don't you? Is little Locke afraid of commitment?" Lina asked in a sarcastic voice. Locke gasped.
"That's NOT what I said! Marriage is a big step, you know!" Locke cried in reply. Lina grinned.
"Right, you're afraid of commitment!" She continued. They turned the corner toward the back allies.
"You're one clever thief, Lone!" Jirasu cried as he admired their collection of items that had stolen on the open streets. Lone Wolf laughed as he ran his fingers down the gold and silver armor. Their bags were full of items and other delicacies. They were the best thieves out on the streets of Nikeah! Pick pocketing was no problem in this town. You could basically grab anything off the streets that you wanted!
"FIRE BALL!"
The two thieves turned around wearily with shocked faces. A great ball of fire was coming toward them! Hastily they tried to run away knowing it was Lina coming for them. The fire spurted forward burning the two stunned thieves to a crisp. The sound of two people laughing hysterically could be heard in the distance not far away.
Lina and Locke ran forth, jumping on the two helpless thieves. Each of them grabbed one of the bags that the wolf and fox were holding. They sprinted forward from Jiasu and Lone like a trampoline and then ran off into the distance.
"Low time thieves! See ya' later!" Lina called back to them between giggles. Locke grinned at her.
"You're a genius, Lina! I would have never thought of treasure hunting from other thieves!" He cried happily. Lina winked at him.
"Of course! I'm the famous bandit killer, Lina Inverse!" She replied. Back in the alleyway Lone and Jirasu still lied on the ground cringing in pain.
"I'll get you for this Lina Inverse! I'll get revenge!" Jirasu screamed.
The skies were blue and graceful. White clouds blurred the vision of the silent earth below. The wind howled wildly carrying the famous airship into the distant skies that stretched out into an everlasting blue blanket. It seemed like it would go on forever.
The wind blew out Setzer's pure gray hair gently. He smiled within the maze of clouds. Jidoor was just ahead. He hadn't been home for a few months since his gambling trip in Zozo. Zozo was a low life town, consisting of thieves, liars, monsters, rain, and just about any other gloomy thing you could think of. But it was easy to win there since every one there lies! You always know how they're bluffing.
However, Jidoor was complete opposite. All the rich, high class peoples lived there. Mansions covered the town streets, with villagers dressed in fine dresses and pearls. Surely Setzer deserved to live there. He was a rich gambler with the world's only airship.
On the other side of the flying ship Martina and her husband Zangulas sat waiting to land. Martina sighed in a bored voice. She leaned back on Zangulas's chest and grinned up at him. He giggled and leaned down to kiss her gently on the lips. Martina groaned and gazed over at Setzer.
"Setzer, when are we going to get to your hometown. It's so boring up here," she said in an irritated voice. Setzer smiled.
"It's not far. At least we won't have to stay in that dump they call Zozo anymore. Jidoor is for the high-class villagers from all around. You'll like it there," he paused. "You two never did tell me why you were in such a gloomy place. Certainly you don't deserve to be there."
"You don't know? Zangulas-sama and myself were on a honeymoon cruise after our wedding when a huge storm came and steered our boat in the wrong direction so that we ended up there. All we need you to do is bring us home in this nifty thing," Martina replied casually. Zangulas nodded.
"Although it's still to bad that we lost most of our vacation time for our honeymoon... I suppose it's best for us to go home now. I was hoping to get us a mansion in Atlas City if we're lucky," Zangulus commented. Martina giggled happily and nodded she was used to palace life before she ran into Lina Inverse after all.
Setzer steered the airship down for a landing. Jidoor was just ahead and it would be hard to find a clear enough place to land. Setzer was just hoping for some peace and quiet to relax after he returned Martina and Zangulas to their home on the other continent. The ship slowed and softly hit the ground. Setzer grinned as he signaled for Martina and Zangulus to follow him off board.
Jidoor was busy with villagers all gathering around to take a look at the airship and greet Setzer to welcome him back after his events in Zozo. After pushing the rich crowd aside, Setzer led the two lovers to his mansion on the top section of town. The richer you are the higher your house comes in the ranking with all the other homes.
Setzer entered with the other two following silently. His front table in the kitchen was covered in letters sent from all around. Two from Narshe, one from Figaro, one from Doma, one from Thamasa, one from Nikeah, and one from Maranda.
"The Returners?" Setzer said quietly to himself. He lifted the pile of envelopes and began reading each one with Martina and Zangulas hanging over his shoulder.
"You two aren't the only ones that I need to return home," he said with an annoyed look on his face.
"L-Lina! That one is from Lina. Why is she here?" Martina said in an exasperated voice.
"I don't know, but I have a lot of work to do."
"Is something wrong, your majesty?" Cyan asked his king. He shook his head.
"Let's just say that having Gau over for dinner isn't much of a treat..." He replied in a tired voice. Cyan watched Gau on the other side of the table eating as sloppily and fast as possible with his fingers. Ameria sat beside him with a perplex look on her face. Cyan laughed.
"That's just the way he is, highness."
"I still don't understand why Miss Ameria, such a sweet and proper princess could be friends with that-that thing," the king exclaimed.
"They are fond of each other. Aren't they cute?"
"Cute isn't the word..."
"Gau-san, you eat just like my friend Lina-san. Except she still uses her silverware," Ameria said to Gau who sat beside her.
"Silverware take too long. Use finger!" Gau exclaimed between sloppy bites of food. Ameria giggled as a knight urgently rushed into the room.
"Sir Cyan, Setzer of Jidoor is here to see you!" He called. Cyan sat up excitedly and turned toward Ameria.
"It seems he's come to take you home now, Princess," he said happily. Gau stopped chewing and grew silent. Ameria jumped from the table.
"That's great! I'm sure that Daddy is worried about me. Gau-san, will you ride with me over to Sailoon? I want you to meet my Dad," she said in an enthusiastic voice. He slowly nodded, his eyes gleaming like he was about to cry. Ameria rushed for the door with Cyan and Gau slowly following behind.
"You don't want her to go do you?" Cyan asked Gau who walked beside him.
"Of course Gau don't!" Gau exclaimed.
"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll keep in touch..." Cyan replied in an unsure voice.
Outside Setzer awaited them with Martina and Zangulas at his side. Martina was clinging to her husband's arms happily. By the time Cyan and Gau approached them Ameria was already excitedly chatting with her two old friends.
"Sir Setzer! How was the poker match?" Cyan asked his friend.
"Great, except when I came home I was clobbered in letters from the Returners saying that they have some friends that need to be returned to their home continent including these two," Setzer said while pointing at Martina and Zangulas.
"There are more of them? Well, we may as well take the ride and see all of the Returners again. It's been awhile since we've all been together," Cyan replied. Setzer nodded and they all boarded the ship with Ameria introducing Gau and Cyan to her friends.
"Where's the next stop?" Martina asked Setzer.
"Thamasa, then Maranda, then Narshe, then Nikeah, and last Figaro," he replied simply. Ameria hung over the edge of the ship smiling happily at the view. Gau moved up next to her.
"You have strange friend..."
"I'm happy to see them after their marriage... Their such a cute couple!"
"Gau glad that you so happy to go home... You still find way to see Gau?"
"Of course! Carrier pigeons are the simplest form of communication."
"See that?" Gau pointed below. "That Thamasa. Everyone there have magic like Ameria. Relm is nice. You like her. She the youngest Returner, even littler than Gau."
The ship slowly landed next to the forests below. Setzer signaled for everyone to wait in the ship until he got back as he rushed into Strago's house.
"Big brother, quit moving or you'll portrait will come out awfully!" Relm complained. Strago giggled.
"You should keep him that still all the time!" He said in a satisfied voice. Zelos grunted from across the room.
"Relm is still painting is she?" Setzer asked from the doorway. Relm smiled and ran to the doorway to hug Setzer around the waist. Strago grinned.
"You got our letter quicker than we thought, thank God! I don't think I can stand him here much longer..."
"You know that you like me, Strago!" Zelos commented. Relm giggled.
""He's right, Grandpa!"
"Don't you two start!"
"Well, let's go! I have a lot more stops to get to," Setzer interrupted. Relm grabbed Zelos' arm and clung to him as they boarded the ship.
"Zelos-san! You're here too!" Ameria exclaimed.
"Hi, Ameria-san! Having fun on Final Fantasy?" Zelos asked her happily.
"I'm not on vacation here you know! I was stranded here!" Ameria moaned. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Relm-chan! Relm-chan, this is my friend Ameria!" Zelos introduced. Gau rushed over to Relm and began chatting with her while Martina screamed and tried to hide behind Zangulas from Zelos.
"Hi, Martina-san! How was your honeymoon?" Zelos asked sweetly.
"Get away from me! Don't touch me!" Martina exclaimed. Zangulas looked at her curiously. Strago and Cyan began to start a conversation while Setzer continued to fly towards the South.
"Everyone quiet. We're approaching the empire states now. I can't get caught or I'll be attacked... Celes, why do you have to live in the middle of the most dangerous place on Final Fantasy? Someone as beautiful as her doesn't deserve to live in this dump..." Setzer whispered as he landed the ship on Maranda. Celes was already outside accompanied by a girl dressed in a priestess outfit.
"What kept ya'?" Celes yelled to them while they were still partically in the sky. "I'm sure Shilfiell would appreciate going home!"
"Hello, darlin'! You look more beautiful than I remember you!" Setzer called down to her. Celes giggled.
"You haven't changed a bit have you, Setzer? Got other passengers I see," she replied.
"Lots of em'! Get on quick! I have some more stops you know!" Setzer said simply. Celes grabbed Shilfiell be the arm and pulled her aboard the ship.
"Shilfiell-san! What are you doing here?" Ameria exclaimed. Shilfiell smiled as she saw all their familiar faces,
"All of you are on Final Fantasy too? It's so good to see you!" She blushed. "I'm here for studies on some magical beings called espers. I took a trip here about two months ago. Celes has been helping me since she lives in the most active and dangerous place on the island. In fact a lot of commotion has been going on in Vector and Albrook. I'll get into the details later. Now why are all of you here?" Shilfiell asked. They all began to explain as Setzer took off again.
"Your boat wrecked here? Is Gourry-sama and the others okay?" Shilfiell asked after hearing part of Ameria's story. Ameria hung her head down silently. The ship slowed as they began to land again. Music was coming from Terra's house in Narshe. Setzer could already tell that Mog was visiting from the caves.
"Dance, Zel, dance!" Mog urged.
"No..." He replied simply. Terra giggled.
"Zelgadis, you're too modest even to just dance?" She asked. Zel blushed and didn't answer.
"Mog can teach you to be an excellent dancer!" Gourry said happily. He shook his head.
"Your friends over, Terra?" Setzer asked from the doorway. Terra smiled.
"Setzer, you're here!" She exclaimed happily.
"Hurry in! I still have to go to Nikeah and Figaro and I want some time to relax at home," he replied. Mog urgently shut off the music.
"Gourry, I go home! You have good trip! I miss you!" He said loudly. Gourry smiled down on him and nodded as they all went through the door. Terra escorted them onto the ship and was startled that there were so many passengers on board. Ameria gazed up.
"Is that?" She pushed Gau away from her and looked again. "It is them! Gourry-san, Zelgadis-san!" She exclaimed. She excitedly ran up and lovingly threw her arms around Zelgadis. "You're okay... Don't scare me like that!" Zelgadis felt tears fall onto his shoulders from her eyes.
"Don't scare you! I thought you were done for, you stupid girl!" He replied trying to hold back his tears. Gourry patted Ameria on the back.
"You've pulled through good kid... We'll have lots of explaining to do for each other I'm sure..." He said comfortingly. She sniffled and nodded as Zelgadis set her back down on the floor gently. He ruffled her hair out with his fingers while Gourry wiped her tears away. When Gourry looked back up Shilfiell was already happily hugging him. Setzer sighed at all the excitement.
"We're about to land at Nikeah," he announced. The ship slowed and landed next to the harbor. Locke had already spotted them with Lina at his side. A crowd of villagers gathered around to watch. Jirasu and Lone Wolf were hidden within them.
"Hey, Setzer! It's good to see you!" Locke called up to him. Setzer laughed.
"Lina-san..."
"Ameria? Everyone?" Lina paused. Gourry looked straight into her eyes. They were gleaming and he knew that she was going to cry. The tears rolled down her face uncontrollably. She tried to hide her face in her hands so that she couldn't see them.
"Don't cry, Lina... Please don't cry..." Gourry said softly. He approached her and hugged her around the shoulders. He pulled her close to him.
"I can't believe this! I come to pick a few people up and all this happens!" Setzer complained. "I hope that I can get to Figaro soon!"
"Isn't it sweet, Shilfiell?" Celes asked her in a dreamy voice as she stared at Gourry with his arms around Lina. Shilfiell choked then had a partical glare in her eyes.
"Sure... Really sweet..."
"I think we need to have some time to get all of this figured out..." Locke said slowly. "This is all so confusing."
"No time for that. I'm landing at Figaro," Setzer said as he landed the ship in the barren sand. Setzer rushed to the entrance to the castle. When he looked behind him everyone was following him.
"Why are you down here? Go back to the ship! We're almost done!" He complained. Celes shook her head.
"Figaro is the perfect place to talk all this out. Edgar won't mind," she commented as they all entered the palace. Setzer sighed.
"And I just wanted to relax at home..." He moaned as they walked into the throne room. Edgar was there talking to the chancellor with Firia at his side. Sabin was sitting in his throne lazily.
"Who? Why are all of you in here?" Edgar exclaimed.
"I think we need to get this sorted out now..."