Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy or any of its characters. Wouldn't it be grand if I did?

doomcherry: If you flame me, you will hear about it. Other than that, feel free to R&R.

*********************************************************** Entry One:
My name is Celes Chere and this is to be my journal. I am seventeen years old and a soldier in the Imperial army, under the great Emperor Gestahl. I have great reverence for this man because of all that he has done for me. I was born a special child, and he recognized my potential. He was practically my father, although there were others whom he treated similarly. I feel jealousy toward them. Dear Gestahl is my friend, my family, and my Emperor. What do I feel about Cid, then? He has been so kind to me, but he is only an engineer who is past his prime. True, he invented the process for extracting power from espers, which is the only reason why I am capable of using magic. Speaking of which, I recently learned that General Leo refused the injection. Leo is my mentor, and I cherish his companionship. I only wish he were not so much older than I, because I feel he has much to teach me. Sometimes when we speak about strategies for demolishing the Empire's enemies, he seems deeply saddened by my words. I try to improve my techniques and to sound like the soldier Gestahl has trained, but the more adult-like I am, the more Leo appears pained. I must try harder. I am surprised that he would feel pain, since he is the second-most respected man in the Imperial army, next to the honorable Gestahl. Throughout my life, I have been taught that feelings are weak, and that power will rule the world. Humanity's weakness lies in its susceptibility to emotion; it is this factor that ensures our eventual triumph over the lowly resistance movement. They call themselves the Returners, but what exactly do they plan to return to? Before the Empire, there was chaos and no sense of order. It is our duty to organize the world and have us all belong to one group. That is dear Gestahl's vision, and I will give my life, if it should be necessary, to realize it.