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paperficwriter · 6 years ago

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Got Your Back

This is a request I wrote for @a-strange-1ne, who requested some of that sweet, sweet Ipposendo. Today’s special? Greaser/preppy!AU. And I was happy to oblige. Thank you again!!

Cut is for length, not for content.

“C’mon, Makunouchi, get back in the car!”

Ippo focused on the road in front of him, trying not to seem as nervous as he felt about Takamura’s red Mustang slowly rolling beside him, following him down the twisty hillside road. What was he doing out here, anyway? Takamura had invited him out for a soda at the diner, and that was fine and all, but...geez! He was a university senior, and Ippo was only just starting sophomore year after transferring, and --

The car horn beeped and made him jump. “I was just messing around! It’s five miles back to town! Let me give you a lift!”

“I can manage it!”

Messing around, he said. Messing around and taking him home on the “scenic route,” pulling up to that make-out spot and grabbing his thigh, boxing him in with his big arm against the door, the sensation of his curly pompadour pressing against his head being the one thing that finally brought Ippo back to reality so he could open the door and jump out. He was so stupid!

“Last chance, kid! I’m not playing around out here all damn night!”

“Then go!” Ippo didn’t actually think Takamura would try something again - or at least he liked to think that - but getting back into the car with him...he was already embarrassed and angry and it was bad enough this was probably going to get around campus.

“Fine!” Takamura roared as loud as his engine, and the wheels of his car picked up dust and gravel as he sped off. Ippo could barely make out something he said, something that sounded like…

Prude.

“I’m not a prude,” he said to no one, coughing as some of the dirty air got stuck in his throat. His eyes stung, and as Takamura’s car disappeared in sight and sound, he gazed down at the twinkling lights of the city below, the shimmer on the water past the beach. Folding his arms over the chest of his cableknit sweater, he started the long walk back.

After only about fifteen minutes, Ippo’s calves started to ache. It wasn’t even that it was that bad of a trek but the slight incline combined with the fact he wasn’t wearing any of the right clothes? Loafers and slacks were not ideal for this…

He should have just stayed in his dorm.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Ippo started to shake. Not dramatically, but enough to let him know that something other than a car was making its way down the road. He stepped back and waited for whatever it was to come by, making sure he kept his distance. There were only occasional streetlights, and the last thing he needed to finish this night was to either cause or be in an accident. The noise of an engine got louder as it was revved right before the motorcycle was driven into view, a small black bike with a single rider in jeans and a leather jacket. For a moment, the scene seemed to slow, and Ippo could swear that somehow he was able to make eye contact with the person on the other side of the shiny helmet.

He knew it was going to stop even before it actually did, creating a single track in the dirt on the road’s shoulder. As Ippo watched muscular legs that still straddled the seat dance the wheels back, he thought maybe he should run. Or at least keep walking. And yet all he could do was stand there, playing with his fingers, as the person booted the kickstand and finally came over to stand in front of him.

Words from the other side of the helmet were too muffled to make out.

“Sorry, I...I can’t understand you,” Ippo said, shrugging. They were taller, broader, and he figured it was a man based on the shape, but it had been a weird night anyway, so…

A hand raised to flip the visor and opened it. The eyes that gazed out at him were dark but bright, attentive, and for some reason it reminded Ippo of some wild cat. Which, frankly, he would have been less nervous about running into at night like this, compared to the stranger. “I said, do ya need a lift?” a deep, accented voice gruffed at him.

“Oh! Um. No. No, thank you. I’m just going to walk.”

For a second, the eyes took him in, up and down (and Ippo was fairly certain that any crinkling at the corners was definitely his imagination, couldn’t be a smile, why would he be smiling?), and then glanced down the hill and finally behind them. “S’gonna rain, ya know. No way ya won’t get caught in it before it starts, walkin’ back to town. Where ya headed? The university?”

Ippo nodded as he followed his gaze back up. Sure enough, storm clouds were building in the distance, lightning arcing between the gaps. He didn’t want to get sick, not this soon after classes started, but he didn’t want to end up in another precarious situation. A situation that his own stupidity had put him in. But…

“Hey.”

When Ippo turned again to see the biker, he had taken off his helmet completely and…geez, he was something else. Tan with dark hair that he ruffled until it looked soft and messy. Sharp teeth, but not scary sharp. And when the guy smiled, Ippo swallowed, and he could swear the lump in his throat went all the way to his toes.

“Name’s Sendo Takeshi. You?”

“I’m...Ippo. Makunouchi Ippo.”

He nodded and pursed his lips before holding the helmet out to him. “Did ya have a rough night, Makunouchi?”

“Yeah...that’s putting it lightly.”

“Listen. I’m gonna feel like an awful guy if I just let it get worse, okay. So if ya let me, I’ll take ya home. Just to the front door, yeah? No funny business, I promise.”

Ippo took the offered headwear and held onto it tight. There were a hundred and one warning alarms going off in his brain about strangers and getting into cars with them, although to be fair he had given Ippo his name and this was a motorcycle, not a car, so… He smiled just a little. “Promise?”

“Cross my heart, hope to die, all that good stuff.”

His cheeks warmed as he put the helmet on and snapped it under his chin. It was a little big, but they weren’t going far. “Aren’t you worried about something happening if I’m the one with the helmet?”

Sendo chuckled, scooting forward as Ippo swung a leg over the back of the bike. “Guess that just means you’re gonna have to hold on real close and tight so that skull o’ yours takes most of it.” Did he just squeeze his arm? “If we go down, we’re goin’ down together, right?”

“Heh...yeah, I guess so…”

Ippo had expected the motorcycle to take off like a horse. That’s what it looked like in the movies, after all, screeching and rearing up on one wheel. Instead, it was smooth, the wind creating a wild bluster through Sendo’s hair. As he squeezed his waist and tried to stay still, he wondered how warm he was under his jacket, what he had in his pockets, what kind of soap he used. Where had he come from? Where was he going?

Was this going to be the last time he saw him?

The ride was over before he knew it, and Sendo hopped off with his hands down on the front of the bike and his legs going over, like a gymnast clearing a wooden pony. He took Ippo’s arm and pulled him off. This was it. He was going. He would be gone in seconds. Say something, Makunouchi!

“Thank you. For the ride.”

“You got it.” Ippo gasped as Sendo’s hands went for his cheeks, but then hoped he didn’t notice, because it was just to pull the helmet off his head. Sendo rubbed his nose and gave him a lopsided grin. “Gonna be okay from here?”

“I think so.” They stood. And stared. “Are you just...passing through, or…?”

“Was on my way home, actually.” Please be here, please be here, please be here. “My Gran’s auto shop’s right down the road.” Ippo must have made a heck of a face because Sendo laughed. “She don’t exactly work there nowadays, but I do.”

For a second, Ippo was relieved. An autoshop! He could just...then, his heart sank. “I don’t have a car...I don’t even have a bicycle.”

“You can come by anyway!” His invitation was yelled, ecstatic, and any insecurity was chased away by it. “Come have lunch with me tomorrow, yeah? Gran made so much dim sum tonight that we got loads of leftovers!”

“But...but I should be the one treating you! You’re the one who saved me!” Oh God, had he actually said that? Flames erupted in his face, and he smothered them with his hands. “That is...I mean…”

“Hey, it’s okay! I was happy to do it!” He could hear Sendo raking through his hair again. “‘Sides, I ain’t got many friends in this town, so it’s payback enough jus’ to see ya again.”

Friends. Of course. Not that there was anything wrong with that! Just…

Then, Ippo shook his head, ridding himself of the thoughts that threatened to ruin this sweet few seconds. It was fine. All of it was just fine. And he gave Sendo his biggest smile.

“Okay! I’ll be there!”

---

“Takeshi! Is that you?”

At the sound of his name, Sendo figured there was no point in being quiet, so he dropped his helmet and keys on the kitchen counter with a crack. “Yeah, Gran...s’me.” Yup, just me, ruining my damn life one stupid move at a time… Friends! Why did he say that?!

When he opened up the fridge to take a drink of orange juice straight from the carton, he heard her voice crackle. “I know you had a bad night, but in this house we use glasses.” He rolled his eyes. “And we do not make nasty faces at our elders.”

“Seriously, Gran, are ya sure ya ain’t a spy or somethin’? Is the auto shop some kinda front?”

“I’d tell you but then I’d have to kill you. Come give me a hand, would you?”

Sendo walked into the garage and then broke into a run as an engine block hung precariously over his grandmother’s head from a chain. “Gran! I told ya not to handle the heavy stuff when I’m not here!”

The small woman gave him a sour look and shook her head. “I’m not trying to lift it. It’s perfectly secure.” She smacked it several times with her multitool, setting it swinging, and Sendo held out a hand to stop it. “See? It’s fine. What has you all riled up tonight, huh?”

And it was only after she let him lower the engine to the large crate on the floor that he told her. About the man on the side of the road. About giving him a ride home. And…

“I think I’m in love with this guy.”

And then Gran laughed at him. “Takeshi, you fall in love once a month. You fell in love with that pizza delivery boy.”

“But I’m serious this time! I invited him to come over tomorrow.”

“Oh my, that is serious. I better bring out the good china.”

“Gran. What if he doesn’t come? What if I never see him again? What if he thought I was some biker weirdo that’s tryin’ to make him join a gang and he calls the cops?”

“Again, it would not be the first time.” But when Sendo put his head into his hands, the old woman reached over and patted the top of it, shaking his knuckles gently. It left black smears from the automobile’s many sundry fluids. “Takeshi. If you like this boy, do what all those rock stars and movie cowboys do and...be a man.”

Sendo looked up at that. “Seriously. That’s your sage advice.”

“I’m not saying do it all the same way that they do, boy. You don’t need a horse or a guitar. Because being a man isn’t just cool hats and hip thrusts.” He really wanted to pretend he didn’t hear that part. “It’s about being straight with him. Telling it like it is. Treating him well.”

“Okay.”

She went on, ignoring him. “Getting him to eat my cooking without sass talk. Introducing him to your aging grandmother…”

“Okay, Gran, I got it.”

Be a man.

Sendo kept thinking about that the rest of the night until the following day. It wouldn’t mean anything if Ippo didn’t show up, and he half-expected that. Would Sendo have gone to visit some random guy on a bike that had given him a ride all of once? No way. So it wasn’t like he could get mad if Ippo was the same way.

By ten to twelve, he had already given up for the most part, until a loud, echoing knock made its way through the garage. He walked over to the side door and peered out, only to see…

“Holy shit, ya came!” he said, exploding out into the afternoon air. Immediately, he regretted it as Ippo held up the small package he was carrying in two hands, yelping. “Sorry! I jus’...I wasn’t sure…”

“We said twelve, right?” The other man suddenly grabbed at the watch on his wrist, panicky. “I’m not late, am I?”

“Nah! You’re perfect!” Perfect. Was that what he wanted to say? As pink rose up the rims of his ears, he pointed at Ippo’s hands. “Wassat?”

“Oh! I stopped by a sweet shop and picked up some cake! I hope that’s okay. I know you said you wanted to take care of lunch, but I had to do something to thank you for getting me home.”

Be a man.

“Yeah, well.” Sendo jutted his chin out as he popped the collar of the jacket he was wearing. He hadn’t thought that would be weird, wearing his leather in the garage - why would it? It was cool - but now it did seem like he was on his way out. Should he take it off? Nah, too late. He couldn’t turn back now. “Ain’t no big deal or nothin.’ I give rides to guys all the time.”

The words sounded a lot better in his head, especially when Ippo’s face fell to the floor, and Sendo very, very quickly wanted to die. “Oh...you do?”

“Not like that! I ain’t easy!”

“I would never think that! Me neither!”

“Good!”

Sendo was panting. Oh God, he had to save this. Luckily, though, Ippo looked around the open floor, just as obviously needing some other topic, and he settled on the punching bag suspended from the ceiling. “Sendo-san, are you a boxer?”

Be a man. Yeah! What could be more manly than boxing?

“Yeah! Featherweight. Do you?”

“No, but I’ve seen a few matches.” He smiled shyly, putting the cake down so he can press his hand against it, moving the bag a little, and Sendo walked over to brace himself against the opposite side.

“C’mon. Give it a real hit.”

“No, no, that’s okay…”

“Do it! Square up, pull back and then step in. Tighten your fist and use your hips, yeah?”

Ippo’s eyes sought his from under his bangs. Man, he was cute. The cutest guy he’d ever seen. “If you say so.”

Sendo smiled as he loosened up a little bit. What he was expecting was that Ippo would give it a dull little punch and then he’d walk over and really show him how it was done. Then, he could have him come back. Have little lessons. Chat. Badabing-badaboom.

That wasn’t the reality at all.

The reality was that Ippo stepped in and gave the bag the hardest punch he could muster. He followed Sendo’s directions so well that he even followed through, sending the bag straight into Sendo and knocking him off his feet until he crumpled to the floor, the room spinning.

“Sendo-san! Sendo-san, are you okay?!”

Maybe it was the ridiculousness of the situation. Maybe it was the fact that everything kept turning around on him. Or maybe it was that this preppy kid from the college was proving to be more of a man than he could ever be. Whatever it was, Sendo’s shoulders started to shake.

“Sendo-san...are you...laughing?”

Not just laughing. Sendo snorted. He kept laughing so hard he couldn’t even get back up to his feet. Then, it spread to Ippo until he plopped down on the floor next to him, chuckling into a hand that was become more and more swollen. And perhaps it was the fact that they were in this together now - or ‘on this’ as it were, the greasy floor of the garage - but Sendo’s nerves melted away, and he reached out for Ippo’s bruised hand.

He was surprised when the other man let him take it.

“S’gonna need some ice.” Ippo winced as he prodded at his fingers, making sure it wasn’t broken. “That’s a hell of a straight left ya got there, Makunouchi.”

“Y-you think so?” Sendo finally stood and carefully lifted Ippo back to his feet. He didn’t pull his hand away, and Sendo didn’t let go. “Maybe you can show me some of your moves too. After that ice, I mean. And lunch?”

Sendo grinned. “Sure.” Be straight with him. “Can we call it a date?”

Ippo stared, not even long enough for him to start worrying before the widest smile, even bigger than the one the night before, split across his face. “Definitely!”

They kept holding hands all the way to the kitchen.

#my paperfics #hajime no ippo #ipposendo #ippo makunouchi #makunouchi ippo #takeshi sendo #i love them #so much #the boys #what good dudes

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jolienjoyswriting · 5 years ago

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Mortem In Contumeliam FFVI, Ch. XIII

Chapter 13 of "Mortem In Contumeliam Final Fantasy VI," a Final Fantasy VI fan fiction story.

Tako-tako-tako, spo-i-ler~ (Don't tease the readers, kids~)

Also, if this chapter seems a little… "compressed?" There's a good reason for it… I was getting tired of writing so many chapters! Weh! This is handily and easily the longest single story I have ever written!! (At least, if you don't count Essence of Ragnarok as one very long story.) … but, if it does seem like things got rushed, I apologize. I think the pacing is okay… but, I wrote it, so…

Word count: 5,582 – Character count: 32,443 Originally written: July 28th, 2019 Partially rewritten: Same day

There's panic in the air as the Blackjack finds unwanted company high above the world!

Final Fantasy VI, Wedge, Biggs, and related characters, scenarios, and properties created by Square Soft, Inc. and © Square Enix Co, Ltd.

[ ← Prev. Chapter | Next Chapter → ]

A gigantic cloak of darkness fell over the airship, Blackjack, and its crew. High above them was something that not one of them had ever seen before… an entire continent of land, held aloft through unknown means – though, one beholder had their theories.

“The origin of magic… the Three Warring Gods…” All eyes were on Stragos, an old mage from Samasa Village. He wore a look of shock and dismay, seemingly talking to himself… or, perhaps, no one at all. “They found them… the three, sealed in stone…” “The Empire?” Lock loudly asked as he ran over to the old man. “They found the Warring Triad?!” “They sealed themselves… canceled out each other’s powers and brought balance back to the world they’d helped destroy…” All-at-once, he spun around, grabbing the treasure hunter by the collar. “If– if those fools do anything to the triad… even turn one statue away from another by just a fraction…! “W… what would happen?” Tina asked, choosing to stay by Wedge for the time. “The balance would crumble…! And… and, their power would…” He trailed off as Lock pulled himself free. Despite leaving his thought unfinished… it didn’t take much guessing to figure out where he was going with it.

“Well? I think it’s pretty obvious what we need to do, kupo!” Wedge gave a blink before joining the others in looking toward the steering wheel. Standing there was a small creature, covered in white fur, with an angler-like bauble on his head and tiny, purple wings on his back. He had his arms crossed and unless the former soldier missed his guess… seemed to be speaking the same language as everyone else! “We need to go up there and kick some butt, kupo!” the creature told the group. “Do… moogles normally talk like people…?” the soldier asked Tina. “No, but I made Old Man Rumah teach me the language, kupo!” the moogle replied with a chittering chuckle. “You’d know that if you were here when this lot rescued me, kupo!” “It’s a weird story involving a thieving wolf,” Lock added. “We’ll explain later. For now, Mog’s right!” “‘Mog…?’” Wedge chuckled to himself, much to Mog’s irritation. “Setzer!” “Yes?” the ship’s owner answered. “Think this baby can catch up to that flyin’ island?” “I’d bet my life on it!” was his confident reply. “That may well be the case…” Stragos suddenly whispered as Setzer ran to the controls, shooing the other man way as he made adjustments. “If we don’t stop the Empire…” “We will, gran’pa!” his granddaughter told him. He shakily looked over… only to brighten up as she gave him a comforting smile. “Bless you for–” “‘My mom’s spirit,’ yeah-yeah,” she interrupted. “Get us up there, Fancy-Pants!” Setzer blinked and paused before giving a nod. Then, they were off!

The ship’s engines groaned and the machinery whirled, causing the ship to move faster than anyone else dared to fly it. Not long after, the airship pushed through the clouds and followed the continent as it reached a stable altitude. A look overboard would have told any of those onboard that the ground was a long… long… way below them, but everyone’s focus was on boarding that continent and stopping the Empire from doing any more damage!

“Um… I don’t want to alarm anyone, but…” Setzer paused before announcing, “We’ve got company!” “What? No, that’s impossible!” Edgar shouted as he ran to the side of the ship and looked over. But, sure enough… “Machines! Heading right for us!!” A legion of what looked like flying Magitek Powered Armor was chasing them, propellers whirling from their sides and mechanical arms reaching up with metal claws.

“You!” Wedge gave another blink… before finding himself shaken by his chest plate. “Gyaah!! Lock, what the he–” “Why didn’t you warn us about these flying things?!” the angry man interrupted. “Would you believe me if I said ‘I didn’t know?’” The ex-soldier offered a little grin… but, Lock just scoffed and let him go. “You’re absolutely useless, you know that?” he said as he walked over to the pilot. “Love you, too…” Wedge adjusted his armor with a sneer. “Jerk.”

“Setzer, what’re our options?” “Well, that depends…” The nobleman grinned as he asked, “How many of you own bows and arrows? Because… this ship is entirely without weaponry!” “Edgar has an auto-crossbow…” Macías helpfully suggested, drawing a dirty look from his brother. “Actually…” Lock turned to the king and asked, “Hey, Edgar, what else ya got?” “Uh… I have a couple of Noiseblasters…” he said as he checked his pockets and cape, “a Chainsaw, a Drill… this broken camera we weaponized…” “Those Noiseblasters and that camera of yours. Are they easy to use?” “Fairly easy.” The king hummed… then, he gave a smile. “I think I see where this is going… Good thinking, Lock!”

“Right! Kaien, Wedge, Mog, grab a tool!” The trio did as they were instructed, Wedge and Mog grabbing the Noiseblasters while Kaien picked the broken camera, giving it an utterly baffled look… “Everyone else? Magic up and form a perimeter!”

Wedge tilted his head as everyone ran to one side of the ship or the other, the group making an uneven circle around the railing. Four of them – including himself – were holding devices while Lock pulled out what looked like a boomerang and a sharp-looking metal disc. Almost everyone else had brought their hands up, channeling energy and preparing to use whatever magic they had at their disposal. Two, however, didn’t quite seem combat-ready.

“Gau, Gau!” the green-haired wild child shouted from beside Wedge. “Aren’t you gonna… uh… ‘magic up?’” he asked as he tried to figure out how to work the strange-looking hearing horn that was attached to a metal box. “Gau fight how Gau know!” was the child’s reply. “Gau be bad guy!” The former soldier had no idea what he meant by that… until the boy stood back and drew a sword from seemingly nowhere. A second later… “This is the end of the line!” he shouted, sounding nothing like himself. “Everyone, hold your positions! We’re in for a decisive battle!” “Gau…? Are you feeling–” “Back off, Imperial scum!” the boy yelled, jerking away from Wedge and giving him a steely glare. “You’re lucky we’re shorthanded, otherwise I’d throw you overboard, myself!” The ex-soldier… was understandably confused by the uncharacteristic display of leadership and borderline-antagonistic behavior he was given. When he took a look around… no one else seemed bothered. Not even Stragos and Lilum, the newest additions to the Returners. Though, that may have been because they were busy arguing…

“Lilum can help, gran’pa!!” Lilum told him. “You don’t know how to use magic!” was her grandfather’s reply as he readied his own. “Lilum knows, but Lilum can paint ‘em up! They just… need to stay still for Lilum!” she explained as one aircraft went whizzing by, below. “Go down to the lower deck and wait for me to tell you it’s safe.” “But–” “Lilum!” The old man spun around and scowled. “For the sake of your departed mother, just–” “Look out!!” Before Stragos could turn back around, an orange-red suit of powered armor came up from the side of the main ship. A panel opened and it began charging energy, when… “Hold that pose!!” Lilum pushed her grandfather aside, pulled out her paintbrush, and waved it around. Wedge almost couldn’t believe his eyes as, right next to the powered armor… another appeared only to crash into the original, propellers-first, then vanished as the panicked, distant screams of one very perplexed soldier filled the air before fading away.

“We make a great team, gran’pa!” she chipperly said as her grandfather caught his breath. “Gran’pa Stragos ‘n The Great Lilum, Heroes for Justice!! Sounds cool, huh?” “Y– yes… very ‘cool,’” Stragos panted. A second later, he gave a begrudging smile and told her, “Stay close and keep your eyes peeled, granddaughter! We’ll lick these soldiers, yet!” “Yaaaaay!! Er, Lilum means…” Lilum corrected as she took on a more moderate attitude, “You got it, gran’pa!” With that, the two redoubled their focus as a team, ready for the next attack.

“Here they cooome…!”

That was the war-cry that Setzer gave from the controls of the Blackjack, keeping the ship steady as the Imperial Air Force closed in. Wave-after-wave of their flying units darted and weaved in, some shooting lasers, some firing missiles, and some drawing close enough to slash at the support beams keeping the giant, metal air-pouch and its passenger car attached. But, just like the one that tried to attack Stragos and Lilum… each-and-every-one of them failed. Some of the air units were knocked out of the sky with a well-placed electrical attack. Some of them were popped like balloons and made to explode by either a flurry of arrows from Edgar or a curious, violent wind that seemed to come from Gau. Others found themselves out-of-control due to pilot error, sometimes by a deafening roar from one of two Noiseblasters, or by an absolutely blinding flash of light coming from Kaien’s camera… usually, by accident.

Eventually, what few units remained decided to break off and fly away, causing those on board to cheer! But, that cheering would be shortlived… “Hey, do you guys see that…?” Something weird was floating toward them. “That can’t possibly be…” Something shiny! Something slimy… Something that wriggled and writhed. “Gran’pa, look! It’s that octopus from before!” Something… that almost everyone on board recognized as… “Orthros!!”

A giant, purple, jellyfish-like creature with eight, wiggling limbs and a row of razor-sharp teeth had flown in from nowhere and landed at the head of the ship, squirming and grinning as best as he could. “You remembered!” he called. “I’m touched! Really!” “What the hell is that thing?!” Wedge called out. “That, soldier, is a giant octopus!” Gau told him before clearing his throat and hunching down to growl. “Octo-man bad! Try hurt fight lady!” “Alas, that was not one of my finer moments!” Orthros sighed, bringing one tentacle up to his forehead, closing his eyes. “It’s against my very nature to harm a lady!” He paused, peeking out with one eye. “Especially one that’s dynamite in a virgin-white dress! Woo-woo!” “You… be qu-quiet!” Celes spat, looking both flustered at and furious with him. “Ah, and I see the cute girl with the long legs is here, too!” Two tendrils waved toward the sky as he made some strange, squishing noises. “Did’ja miss me, baby?” For the first time that Wedge could recall… he actually saw Tina blush. She wasn’t saying anything, but her shy, uncomfortable body language said certainly more than words could… “What did you do to–?!” “Aaand… beret-girl is here, too! Wonderful!” He squirmed forward, reaching toward the distant Lilum. “Come give Uncle Orthy a hug, cutie-pie!” “Lilum would rather paint your picture, again!” the young girl smartly said, causing the octopus to recoil.

“Anyhoo,” he said after taking a moment to recover, “I heard you guys were gonna save the world! Great! I’m all for it! In fact, that’s why I came! Let me join up and lend a hand… or, a bunch’a hands! Just imagine what all these gorgeous hands could do for you! Ladies.” When he gave a wink, Tina finally hid behind Wedge and Lilum pulled her beret over her face, seeming more bothered than embarrassed. Celes, on the other hand… “Why don’t you drop dead, you lech?!” she shouted as she drew a new sword – a red sword with a spiked blade that looked like fire. Wedge recognized it as a Flametongue. “Now, hang on, Celes…” Lock raised a hand to the former general as he walked over to the then-crying Orthros.

“Look. Orthros. No offense, but… you aren’t the most trustworthy cephalopod we’ve ever met. Why the sudden interest in saving the world?” “Are you kiddin’ me?!” the octopus exclaimed. “Why wouldn’t I wanna save the world?! Could you imagine how rich and famous I’d be…? ‘Sexy octopus saves world from weird island!’ Oh, the babes would be breaking down my door to get a piece’a this!” His cheeks turned a rosy pink as he fell into a self-made fantasy. “Ladies, please! I only have eight tentacles! Wait your turn and I promise… I’ll send you all to sticky, wriggly heaven one-by-one! Mwah, mwah, mwah!!” “You’re disgusting,” Edgar – of all people – told him. “Go home.” “Oh, I see how it is!” Orthros crossed two tentacles in front of him. “You guys wanna save the world so you get all the fame and glory! Well, then…” The octopus’ head curled upward, causing his teeth to bend in a weird… yet, somewhat-threatening way. “I’m just gonna have to beat you all up and steal your ride! En garde!”

Edgar, Celes, and Lock stepped up as the octopus affixed itself to the deck with four arms, the other four wriggling erratically as he shimmied in-place. All three of them drew their weapons, ready for a fight! “This is our last battle!” their opponent called in a lighthearted way. “It’s true, it’s true!” “You’ve got that right…” Celes coldly told him. “Fira!!” Orthros screamed like a frightened little girl as a sharp curtain of flame swept across the deck and hit its mark, bathing the octopus in a powerful wall of flames! He twitched, scorched and red, before sliding off the ship’s head and out-of-sight. It seemed like the battle was over before it even started! But, just as the trio put their weapons back… “Ugh… Losing, again…!” Everyone heard that creepy, unnerving voice call from below. Shortly after, everyone stared as the octopus slowly floated back into view.

“I knew this’d happen…” he hissed at the men and women of the Blackjack, “so that’s why, today, I’ve got a strooooong ally! Folks, lemme introduce you to…”

The whole group went wide-eyed as Orthros continued to float up. It wasn’t long before they realized, however… that he wasn’t floating. He was sitting on something. Something pink and cloud-like… something huge… something with piercing, yellow eyes, strong arms with sharp claws, and something with a gaping maw full of horrible, jagged teeth.

“Grand Master Typhon!!” Orthros announced as he flopped back onto the ship and enthusiastically waved a pair of paper fans he’d retrieved from… somewhere. “Say ‘allo, GMT!” Everyone had to cover their ears and brace themselves as a massive blast of wind rushed over the deck, accompanied by a teeth-rattling “Gruhk– phuuuuuhhhn!!” “Articulate, ain’ ‘e?”

The octopus waved his fans and cheered as his “master” took swings and swipes at the group of adventurers, his claws crashing against Celes’ fiery blade and Edgar’s lance while his other arm blocked the tossed projectiles from Lock. “Yeah,” he said, “he may not have my natural good looks or my silver tongue… but, his strength’ll blow you away!!” Typhon pounded the deck, causing the airship to physically dip enough for some people to lose their footing. Setzer stabilized the vehicle and everyone got back to their feet, then. “The master’s scaaary if you get him maaad!” Orthros warned, wriggling his arms as Typhon inhaled… “Seriously, he’s teeerrifying! You guys might get eeeaten…!” The octopus paused as his companion spewed fireballs at everyone within range. Setzer was quick to shout orders to douse the flames while the trio fighting him continued their attack… seemingly, with little effectiveness. “Why… just the other day, I was dozing off and I got my head gnawed on!” Orthros laughed. “Guess GMT was bored or hungry or somethin’… Man, do his teeth hurt!” “Tph. Tph tph,” the frightening, pink creature huffed, covering his face as blades and blunt objects came his way. He didn’t seem like he was into the fight as much as his friend…

“So, you guys give up?” Orthros eventually asked. “You gonna let me join up, now?” “In your dreams, ink-breath!” Celes shouted, still visibly angry from before. He closed the fans then flipped them open, waving them toward the big, pink thing. “Master Tyyyphon.” “Grnk?” “Give ‘em the good stuff, pal!” Typhon paused. And, then… “Hyah!!” Celes leaped up and heel-kicked Orthros right in the face!!

“Cuuurse yooou and your sexy leeeeegs…!!” The octopus sadly cried out as he fell off the ship for a second time. Once he was out of earshot, the three at the bow, as well as everyone else, turned their attention to Typhon…

Lock leaned over to Edgar and whispered, “Why isn’t he moving?” noticing Typhon’s sudden disinterest in fighting. The creature hadn’t done much since Orthros’ departure. “I… don’t know.” The king of Figaro pondered before suggesting, “Maybe, he’s bored?” “Could be…” The treasure hunter stared at the giant beast… “Should we do something?” “Blizzara!!” Both men jolted as a female voice broke the unwelcome silence. When they looked, they noticed that Celes had made another move, angrily pointing a finger at Typhon… who had a huge chunk of ice attached to his face.

“Celes…!!” Lock squeaked as he ran over to the woman. “What did you do?!” “I took the initiative and disabled my opponent,” she calmly explained, holding her sword with both hands after her spell. “Okay, but…” Lock frowned, glancing at the creature who was frantically scratching at the magical ice. “He wasn’t doing anything, anymore…” “He attacked, first!” she countered. “Now, are you going to stand there and judge me, or are you going to–” “Graaaaahhh…!!” The three of them were thrown backward as Typhon broke free of the ice, his booming voice sending splinters everywhere.

“Just get rid of him, already!” Setzer called from the ship’s console, looking genuinely worried about the additional holes to the top deck. “He’s hurting my baby…!” “We’re working on it!” Celes shouted back. “Thundara!!” The giant beast groaned as a crackling line of electricity ran from her hand to his body, zapping him. A second later, he retaliated with another flurry of fireballs, causing Setzer to shout about the ship even more.

“This is getting us nowhere!” Edgar called as he shot the beast with his Auto-Crossbow. “I’m not even sure we’re hurting it!” “Gotta say… I think you’re right,” Lock agreed as his bladed disc bounced off Typhon’s head. “This thing is just too strong for–” “Fira!!”

Both men leaped out of the way as a tongue of flame violently slashed the pink giant right across the face. When he stopped moving and brought both gnarled hands up�� “I… think you got his attention, Celes…” Lock smirked. It didn’t seem like Typhon was in a fighting mood, anymore. Actually, he seemed to be breathing pretty heavily, for some reason…

“Are you ready to concede?” the former general asked, standing at-the-ready, just in case he decided he’d rather keep fighting. “Hruuh… hruuh…” he panted, keeping his face covered. “The lady asked you a question,” Lock said in a scathing tone. “You give up, Pinky?” “Hruuh… hraah…!” “Wait a second…!!” All eyes were back on Stragos. He’s shouted and looked like he’d just seen a ghost!

“I just remembered something! I know what this creature is!” he called. “Okay? Good?” Lock crossed his arms. “Do you know how to beat it?” “No, but…” “Hraah… hraaaaah…!!” “Gods above! Everyone, get down!!”

He’d tried… He really had. But, Stragos was too late to warn them… “Hraaah-pheeeeew…!!” That Typhon had some seriously strong nasal passages!

The people closest to the beast found themselves blown overboard, all three of them hanging on to the rails in a half-panic. The people to the sides were knocked to their feet or tossed up against the guardrails, thrown for a loop. As for the people straight ahead… “Look out…!!” Wedge stood in front of Tina, guarding her with his body as a huge, semi-invisible projectile warped the air and headed right toward them. As it made contact with the former soldier, he expected it to hurt. However… “Whaaa-hoo-hoowaaah…!!” It, instead, sent him flying… right off the deck and, unfortunately… much farther than even the people closest to Typhon. He had absolutely no chance of grabbing onto anything and wound up in a freefall some distance away from the Blackjack!

For several moments, he flailed his limbs and screamed in a complete panic! As the realization that he was going to become a really big mess on the ground far-far below set in… he stopped screaming and put his hands over his face, deciding not to watch. “So, this is how it ends?” he asked himself. “With an over-the-top sneeze and a looooong plummet with a very sudden stop at the end! Can’t say I ever imagined that one…” He sighed, moving his hands and crossing his arms. “Ya know… I don’t think the Imperial Army ever planned for anything like this… Or, maybe, they did? I didn’t even know we had air machines, ‘til now, so…” He gave another sigh, closing his eyes and going silent for a while. “Guess there’s nothing left to do but–” “Weeedge!” The ex-soldier gave a blink. He could swear he’d heard a female voice scream his name. “Great, now I’m hearing things…” “Weeeeedge…!” “Go away, female-voice-in-my-head! I’m already freaking out enough without you–” “Weeeeedge…!!” “Okay, fine, what?” “Grab on…!!”

Wedge gave a hard blink. Grab onto what? he thought. A second later… “Please…!! Take my hand…!!” That same, somewhat-distorted voice called to him from his left. He finally convinced himself to look… only to see a vaguely-familiar, glowing form in a dive right next to him. “T… T-Tina…?” She was desperately reaching for him with one purple-pinkish, clawed hand, her angular face full of worry and fright. “Grab on…!!” she called, again. Not a second later, he did just that before being pulled into her arms to hang on for dear life!

“Look, not that I’m not grateful that I have someone I love escorting me to the great beyond… but, Tina!” He squeezed her. “I’m gonna kill you if you didn’t get sneezed off, too!” “I followed you!” she shouted over the whipping air. “I couldn’t let you die…!!” “You idiot… I’m gonna kill you.” Wedge smiled, giving her a loving hug. “You seriously leaped after me? I… uh… hang– hang on. Something’s not right.” He looked around. Were they falling… slower? “Tina… Um, tell me something.” “Yes?” she called in a softer, calmer tone. “Your Eidolon half… Uh, can it, by chance… fly?” “Yes,” was her simple answer as she slowed, stopped, then started flying back up, carefully carrying the former soldier in her arms. “You didn’t know?” Wedge blushed… then, he sighed. “Just… get me back on the airship, please.”

The fall down had taken about three minutes, but the flight back up took twice as long. He watched Tina, feeling relieved that she didn’t seem to be struggling with him… but, felt extremely embarrassed that he didn’t know she could fly… not that he’d have any reason to think otherwise, of course. He’d only seen that form twice, counting his current situation, and the first time was a less-pleasant experience, for him. Still… he was glad that she’d come to his aid. And, as he looked her over… he couldn’t help but notice how pretty her Eidolon form was. He made a note to ask her to pose and turn for him in that form, later.

“This is as far as I can go…”

Tina landed somewhere before collapsing onto her knees. Wedge was quick to kneel beside her, ready to help her to her feet. When they both stood, he looked around… only to scowl and furrow his brow. “Tina…?” “Y-yes…?” she panted. “Either this isn’t the airship… or, Typhon really did a number on the flight deck.”

They both looked around at their surroundings. Just as Wedge had noted, they weren't standing on the deck of an airship… but, rather, a large chunk of rock and dirt which, not unlike the airship, was hanging in the air and flying free. Unlike the airship, though, the mass of land seemed twisted and torn, and seemed to stretch on for quite some distance.

“Weee’re… on that flying continent, aren’t we…?” “I… I couldn’t make it,” she told him, leaning on his frame. “I don’t have the stamina… haa… to stay in that form… for very long. I’m sorry…” “Hey, hey, it’s alright…” Wedge smiled, gently nudging her head up. “You saved my life. Which is funny… ‘cause, it’s usually the guy who saves the girl!” “I can… relate to that…” He gave a blink… then, he smiled, more. She was grinning at him.

“So, we’re stuck on this island ‘til your friends head this way, huh?” “I guess so…” Tina slowly parted from her friend… only to wobble and fall to her knees, again. “T-Tina!” He was quick to kneel behind her. “Are you okay?” “N-not really…” she admitted. “Still worn out from the trip back up?” “Yes, but… there’s something else.” Slowly, she raised a gloved hand, pointing into the distance. Biggs had to adjust his goggles before he noticed… “Are those…?” “The Warring Triad…”

He couldn’t see it very well… but, situated at the approximate center of the island, stood upon some sort of plateau, were a trio of gray figures. While he couldn’t make out any of their features, he could seem the radical power emanating from them. Considering that he wasn’t the slightest bit magically-inclined… it was enough to send shivers up his spine.

“This entire island,” Tina told him as they both stood back up, “is being held in the sky by those three. This place also feels… familiar.” The girl looked at him with sad eyes. “I think… this may be what became of my home…” “Wait… are you trying to tell me that this island, itself, is the Eidolon’s World…?” “Wh-what’s left of it, anyway…” She shivered. “My home… My dad’s friends… It’s all… it’s all…!” “Tina, no… please, don’t cry…” But, she couldn’t help it. The realization that they were standing on what little remained of her home… that the Empire had, more-than-likely, utterly eradicated all of the Eidolons… hit her like a ton of bricks. It was emotionally overwhelming for the poor, half-Eidolon girl.

“W… W-Wedge…?” “Y– yeah, Tina?” She looked up from hiding her face against his chest. Despite her wet eyes… she looked angry. Angry… and, determined. “We have to stop the Empire. Even if it means… if it means…” She looked away, sounding like she didn’t want to finish that thought. “Yeah… yeah, I guess we– hey, wait, Tina! Where are you going…?” “I’m sorry, Wedge…” She’d pushed him aside, then took a few steps away before telling him, “I have to do this. For my family. For my friends. For my kind…” Wedge hesitated… then, he started to give chase. “Y-you don’t have to do this alone!” “H-he’s right, you know… ehn…” Both figures stopped in their tracks. A somewhat-familiar, gravelly voice had spoken up. When they turned to see who had spoken… “S-Shadow!!” Tina called with a start, covering her mouth with one hand. There, shambling toward them, was a beat-up man completely covered in black cloth… which had been stained red, in places. It could be none other than the self-made mercenary, Shadow.

“Damn the Empire – present company excluded…” He coughed, giving a nod to Wedge as Tina started magically healing him. “Once they were done with me, they tried to kill me…” “They didn’t do a very good job,” the former soldier nervously joked. “What’s worse? I never got paid for the Triangle Island job. Heh.”

“Are you going to be alright?” Tina asked as she finished. She was trying to wipe his darkly-clad face with a white linen cloth, but he just kept ducking away. “I’m fine, stop fussing over me,” he eventually told her, gently grabbing her wrist. “We have bigger concerns, right now.” “O-okay…” She offered a slight smile as he let her go, then tucked her cloth into her dress pocket. “Where are your friends?” was the man’s next question. “We could use their help.” “They’re… up there, I think? And– oh!!” She had pointed to the sky, but when she and the others actually looked… they were shocked to find that the Blackjack was being attacked by some massive construct! By the look of it… the airborne vehicle was full of nasty weaponry, too.

“No…!” she gasped, covering her mouth, again. “We have to do something…!” “I mean… if you think you can fly up there, let’s go,” Wedge commented, “but…” “I can’t–” the girl quickly answered before looking away in sudden silence. “Then,” Shadow began, “I guess we have no choice but to go forward.” Both Tina and Wedge gave a blink as Shadow stepped over to a rocky formation. When he kicked it, they were both genuinely surprised as part of it collapsed into a pathway.

“It’s kind of a shame.” He crossed his arms, leaning against the rocks as he told them, “I’m sure at least one of your other friends has a score to settle with the Empire.” “More like, all of them…” Wedge added with a grin. “We could just wait for them. But…” Shadow looked up and the other two followed suit. That huge air vehicle was still focused on the Blackjack, bright flashes of magic and explosions firing off near both. “They could be a while.” “Hey, uh…” They both turned to Wedge as he spoke up. “As much as I’d love to go punch Kefka and Gestahl in the face, right now?” He skittishly squirmed. “I’m pretty sure they’d tear me apart. I mean, hell, I left my sword… uh…” He’d paused. Tina was curiously looking at him with her hands folded over her lap. “I left my sword… somewhere,” he half-lied, “so, I’m a bit under-dressed for combat.” “You can use my sword, if you want! I never use it, really…” The former soldier gave a blink. Tina had unhooked her scabbard from her sash and handed it and its blade over with absolutely no hesitation… and, a smile. “Well… shi– oot. Shoot,” he corrected himself. “I guess I’m… ready to go, then?” “Okay!” Her smile brightened. “Lead the way? I’ll make sure no one sneaks up on us!” “Who would possibly–” A deafening roar from somewhere on the island stopped him from finishing that thought. Somewhere… something was waiting for them and, from the sound of it… it was angry.

“You know… I think we should wait for the others!” Wedge suddenly exclaimed. “Just in case there’s, uh… something really ugly up ahead!” “Wedge…” He gave a blink. Tina had nudged up to him with a soft, sweet smile. “It’s okay if you’re scared,” she told him in that innocent way she spoke. “I’m scared, too. But, we’re not alone. We have Shadow, and he’s a super-cool ninja!” Wedge wasn’t sure… but, he thought he heard said ninja chuckle. “Plus… We have each other…” He blushed a little, then. Tina held his hand in hers before looking right into his eyes. “It’s okay if you’re scared…” she repeated in a softer voice. “Just, don’t let that fear eat you up. We’ll make it through and stop the bad-guys. I promise.” A moment later, she had to tilt her head. One hand reached up, brushing his cheek. “Wedge?” she asked, her face filling with concern. “Are you crying?” “You are such an innocent, sweet little cinnamon bun, Tina…” “Thank y– oh– mm!!”

Shadow turned his head away, hiding his face behind one hand. Without any warning, Wedge had grabbed the girl by her other hand and pulled her around to pull her closer. A second later, he had done something he’d been wanting to do since the failed mission in Narshe.

He kissed her.

“I… um… I… o-oh…” Those were all the words Tina could find as she stood there, her face red with embarrassment and her hands fumbling over each other. She had never been kissed like that… or, kissed at all, actually! It was completely new to her, and… she wasn’t sure how to react!

“Listen…” Wedge said, causing her to jerk upright. “I know this isn’t the time or place for that, but… Tina?” He took a deep breath. “I couldn’t live with myself… if I died before I let you know how I feel.” “This really isn’t the time or place for this…” Shadow commented. The former soldier grinned at the mercenary… who just shrugged and turned away, again.

“So… yeah. Ever since that time in Narshe where I abused the Slave Crown–” “Oh, come on!!” Shadow shouted. A certain kind of picture had entered his mind. “– I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I know you have a million other things on your mind… and, I know you have a whole company of cute guys you trust with your life… but, Tina? I… I love you. And, well… if we… no, if the world survives today?” He inhaled, then exhaled as he told her… “I’d… really like to take you out that date I promised. I-if you still wanna, I mean!” “I… I’d like that…” she shyly told him as she brushed some hair away from her face. They shared a smile, then Wedge spun around, looking at Shadow. “Sorry,” he told the mercenary. “We’re set, now. Let’s go kick Kefka’s ass!!” “Finally…” the man in black sighed. “Take the lead, ‘ex-soldier.’” And, that’s exactly what he did as the extremely-unlikely trio navigated the island.

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