Final Fantasy VI-2: Clyde's Journey

Disclaimer: Copyright to the Final Fantasy names in this story goes to the writers at what is now Square Enix and I do not own any characters in this story, etc. etc.

Prologue:

Only a few days after the grand defeat of the megalomaniacal madman, Kefka, the World of Ruin slowly began to flourish and become once again prosperous as it was in the former World of Balance. The heroes responsible for Kefka's fall were recognized at the new world capital, New Vector. A massive ceremony was held in honor of Locke Cole, Celes Chere, Terra Branford, Cyan Garamonde, Edgar and Sabin Figaro, Setzer Gabbiani, Relm Arrowny, Strago Magus, and the mysterious one known only as Gogo, the wild boy known as Gau, the massive yeti referred to as Umaro, and the Moogle known as Mog. Along with those names, a memorial was erected in memory of the equally brave mystery man known simply as Shadow, who decided to stay aboard the tower for reasons unknown to all as it was disintegrating.

The new Grand Emperor, Lord Valkin, has now set to work in repairing the damages done during the evil rule of Kefka. Now all is in peace and even the Land of Espers is beginning anew, rebuilt by the few spirits that survived the catastrophic destruction of the magical statues. But as history has shown, the Espers and mankind cannot co-exist, so the magical creatures keep in their own land, both worlds swearing solemn oaths to not stray into the other. Now is the story after the grand events of Final Fantasy III/VI.

Chapter I – Ruin to Balance

The evening sun was shining brilliantly along the horizon, the glow stretching across the World of Ruin, soon to be renamed to a more positive moniker in the near future. The sun's rays barely lit up a pile of crumpled dark, war-battered clothes lying in a torn pile next to the bleak ruins of the once powerful tower of Kefka. Further along, the shadow of a weary traveler slowly moved through the light. Ahead of the traveler was a small town, the village of Tzen. At first glance one would call him filthy, dirty, almost peasant-like. But he had just survived what not many else could. He was of young features, and probably no older than thirty years old. Around him he had draped what looked like a large blue blanket that was torn in several places. That blanket had once been his clothes.

He stared ahead, eyes squinting at the reflecting sunlight from the nearby ocean. His messy, brown hair blew in the soft breeze as he neared the village. He so hoped for suitable hospitality. For several hours he was trapped beneath the debris of the fallen tower, and had gotten out with his clothes torn to shreds and of no use to him any longer. He had located a small spring and stayed there for a night, too weary to move along. In the morning he tried his luck but could barely walk. Today, however, he swore that he would try, and seemed to be moving quite well.

As he walked, he slowly recalled the events that had happened in only the past few days. He remembered landing on the very tower of evil that was intended to be brought down along with its ruler, Kefka. He remembered encountering the madman at the very peak of the structure, and he could remember the grand battle with much detail. Fighting alongside his companions against a massive demon of three major tiers. Then they were pitted against the psychotic magician himself, Kefka, powered with the magic of the three statues of the Espers. When the final blow was dealt, Kefka was slain and the tower began to crumble. The young lady, Terra, transformed into her Esper form and led the entire group through the tower as it collapsed. But this lad strayed behind to stay aboard, ready to find the mystery of his life in possible death. He even remembered his faithful dog, Interceptor, seemingly unwilling to let his master go. He worried for him a little, but he knew that the young girl, Relm would take care of him. Only as he began to rest in his little spot did the ground beneath him give away as his part of the tower fell. He could remember landing on another set of ground, only to fall once more but land shortly after. Within minutes the entire tower had fallen upon him and he lay in a massive heap of glass and metal as he had finally collapsed in the Esper containment facility.

As he gathered all his thoughts he found himself only feet away from the entrance to the village. He slowly lumbered in and sought out the items shop, rummaging through his old pockets to find, luckily, 314 gil. He was surprised that he was able to keep that much, and just above the stairway entrance was the shop. He quickly made his way inside and asked for one high potion, hoping that it would be able to heal him of most of his recent injuries.

"That'll be 300 gil bud."

The man acknowledged the clerk and handed over 300 gil and received his potion. He quickly opened the top and took a big swig of the green liquid inside. Almost immediately he felt totally relaxed and set free from his pain. He could now walk with much more ease and felt better for the first time in days. He found his way outside and looked around, where an old woman approached him.

"Oh my, you look quite beat up there! What happened to you sir?"

He was a little startled by the woman's sudden appearance, but he regained himself quickly.

"I… er… had a bad encounter with a… ahem, a… uh… rabid animal of some sort…"

The woman raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat with doubt, but she didn't seem to care if he was telling the truth.

"Hmm, must've been pretty severe, considering all these cuts and just this torn old thing as your clothing. Come with me, I'll be able to fit you out with some better attire, and maybe patch you up some!"

"Er, you don't need to do that ma'am. I'm perfectly fine."

"Oh no you don't! You can't go around looking like this anyways. No, I'll clean you up a little, come on now."

Reluctantly he followed the stubborn woman into her small home. She quickly sat him down and went down the hall for a short second and came back with a bucket full of water and a rag. She set it down beside him and dipped the rag into the water, wadding it up and using it to clean off the dirt and blood all over him. After he was cleaned of that she went off again, now coming back with a pile of clothes: some brown, thin leather trousers, a white tunic along with a brown leather vest and even some travel-worthy boots and socks. She stuffed them in his hands.

"Go on into that room over there and change. You seem hungry so I'll fetch some food for you."

He slowly stood up and bustled off into the room she gestured to, shutting the door behind him. He quickly tossed the remains of his former clothes to the side and pulled on the trousers, next the tunic, then the vest, finally putting on the socks and boots and stepping out into the main room where a basket of rolls was on the table with a small jug of water next to it.

"Help yourself to some rolls now, and drink up on that water."

The man was somehow puzzled by the woman's kindness and hospitality. He wondered why he had never seen anyone like that in his past travels. Timidly he reached out and grabbed a roll. He knew he was hungry, and that he would love to just scarf the roll down, but the woman might find it unpleasant.

"Oh go on and stuff yourself with those, dearie! You've got to be starving!"

He nodded and began to devour the entire basketful of rolls. Washing them down with a big gulp of the water. He then looked up at the woman to speak.

"Why are you being so kind to me?"

"I'm always kind to the weary, and you certainly looked weary. Coming into the village with a slow walk, cuts covering your body with large patches of dirt, and of course your torn up 'clothes' as well. You seem like a special person too… what is your name?"

"My name? Er… Clyde, you can call me Clyde."

"Clyde it is then! Feel free to stay here as long as you wish. I've got my son's room ready as a guest room for anyone, since he's gone of to the military."

"Thank you ma'am… I appreciate all you're doing. I doubt I would've lived much longer had you not approached me."

"Oh, don't mention it Clyde, I'm always willing to help the needy."

And for the first time in a long time, Clyde felt himself smile… it was an incredibly relieving and warm feeling that he got from this woman. It had been a while since he had emotions like this. Ever since he took on his second life, he had supposedly killed them off. Yet now, sitting in this kindly woman's house, it seemed that everything of his former life had been revived. The name Shadow would never concern him again.