Disclaimer: Do I really have to put this within every fanfic I make? Time and again, I shall say that all characters, locations, etc., are not copyrighted to me unless duly noted. Drana is my original character and MINE only.

From Sixth: As per the title (not any longer), this is a revision of one of my earlier fics, my very first one in fact. In the beginning, I thought if I simplified everything, it would be easier to read… Having looked back, I see that that had been something of a stupid thing to do and so…

The Other One-Winged Angel: Revisited

Prologue: Journey to Destiny

My little wintry hometown, Icicle Inn.

I loved it very much but... then I started to get tired of it.

As lovely as the scenery was, the wonder wore thin on my eyes. There was snow day in and day out and it made me dizzy more often than not. I wanted to leave this place so badly, to go where flowers were everywhere or at least where they could be grown. I wanted to go to the main continent, however I was unsure. I'd remembered hearing all the things that happened there in the past, of giant monsters rising from the earth and attacking civilization. A humongous ball of fire, as big as the moon, hung in the sky like an unmoving pendulum, looming other than rocking to a countdown of doom. Then… it vanished one fateful day in a great big light that webbed across the sky, rising from planet's face itself. And panic wracked the world no more.

That had been two years ago.

Now I wondered about the state of things on the other side of the sea. From foreigners, I'd heard that a city, the city, called Midgar had fallen and was now nothing more than a pile of burnt rubble, but that was about all I'd heard about it. So my deduction on the matter was that it was safe now. No more monsters and certainly no more falling stars terrorized land, sea and sky. I could go to the main continent. This would be my chance to see a new world after having spent all my life in Icicle.

And so, I began my plans for leaving this land of ice and snow and beginning my journey to a new and yet uncharted place as far as I was concerned. I'd learned of ships docking at a harbor outside Bone Village, on the opposite end of this continent that I lived on. It lied southeast of here, so many miles away. But despite the distance, this was good for me. Now I could pack all my things, those that I needed anyways, fetch myself a Chocobo and leave Icicle at last. And what was better was that I found it strangely easy to catch Chocobos compared to others. I often didn't even need greens to lure them in.

It just came as a knack, to call them and they'd come, without fear. So it would be as easy as that.

One day, I would have to question that.

--

Finally, the day came.

After long thought and preparation, the time had come.

I had whatever I needed packed and ready, and then I promptly weaved my way through the small town, to the local shop for things for my trip. The people with whom I'd made friends in Icicle watched me pass by on my merry way. And when I said friends, it basically meant everyone in town. That was how I saw it, anyways. Everyone knew me as the most unique resident here, for my looks, my demeanor, and something else I couldn't quite place. No one ever told me and I never really asked.

The children with whom I'd often come out to play with followed behind me, noisily trudging along in their over-sized galoshes and thick winter coats, way too overdressed compared to me and my simple dress, jacket, and sock-like boots. They circled me with curious eyes, the way they always did when playing with me, as to why I seemed to be so busy today.

"Morning," they chimed together.

I smiled down at them, then to myself, however never stopping in my trek to the shop. These boys never ceased to amaze me. Neither did their father, the man who gave me my own home.

"Good morning."

"What are you doing so early?" asked one of the children.

"Oh, just buying some things here and there," I chimed with purpose. "Today's very important and I have to get ready."

"Ready for what?"

"I'm leaving."

The boys stopped dead in their tracks and traded curious glances with each other. I still continued on to the shop on the western edge of town and entered the building, where my kiddy friends eventually caught up with me.

It made me sad to leave without much of a notice to anyone but this was something I thought I had to do. After a tiny bit of goading from both them and the shopkeeper, I'd finally revealed my reason for buzzing like a busy bee. I told them of my soon-to-be departure from Icicle. Of course, they all gave me a round of frowns that spoiled my soul a little bit, but I held my ground. I explained that I needed to leave; I needed time away from this place. The shopkeeper, for one, understood, and one by one, my small friends began to see the light, too. I certainly wasn't the only one with dreams of someday leaving this place, to see what lay beyond.

Yet they were still sad that they would have to see me go. The boys, I had to remember them. They were my best friends. But I promised them all that I'd come back again, so they shouldn't sulk any more than they had or needed or even wanted to.

"I'll be back. You've been so good to me, I'd never abandon you guys. We'll see each other again, there's no doubt in my mind about that. And there shouldn't be any doubt in yours, either. So… keep your chins up, keep this place happy and alive for me, okay? I want everything to be the same, if not better, when I come back home, okay? I'll miss you…"

After that, I bought all I needed and left posthaste. A few sad smiles and hopeful eyes were burned into my memory as I returned home to grab my belongings and then leave Icicle. A surprising little crowd had gathered, which made my departure a little harder than I liked. Some gave me hugs, a couple of respectful nods, and the rest, vague stares and glances. All in all, I said my goodbyes, trying not to make them too long, and then I trudged off into the snow fields.

--

For quite a few miles, I walked through inches of fresh morning snow, as solid and pure as the overcast slinking by above me, until I happened upon a lone wandering Chocobo.

It picked and pushed, with its large wedge of a beak, through the whiteness that sparkled under a spot of brief, bright sunshine. I grinned thoughtfully to myself; I was fortunate, too fortunate in fact. The sooner I'd found a Chocobo, the better.

I studied the creature in all its yellow-feathered glory. Tall, if a bit regal. It had a shaggy crest, though. Obviously, it must have been hungry, or why else would it pick through the snow the way it did? Of course… there were countless explanations for everything but for now, I clung to only one, and one I was prepared for. I stopped in my tracks and dropped my bag into the snow. I knelt down, reached inside and withdrew some greens, ripe and perfect for just such an occasion.

"Okay…" Taking a deep breath, I lifted an arm into the air and waved in the best eye-catching manner I could to grab the big bird's attention. I called out, "Hey there, chocobo! Over here! Are you hungry? I've got a treat for you..."

The great avian raised its head curiously.

We both stared at one another, as if locked in a contest of eyeful stamina.

"Um… want some nice greens? They're Reagans!" I dangled the russet colored vegetables before me and smiled. The Chocobo took a step forward, cautious yet still brave in its approach.

Pretty soon, the bird and I were face to face. It loomed above me in its towering stature but I was less than intimidated. There was no way birds like these could ever be so mean, at least not intentionally. Warming hopefully, I continued to dangle the greens between me and it, coaxing the Chocobo to take them.

"They're just for you, you know," I said with a slight nod and smile. The bird jutted its beak at the greens I held with determination, testing their genuineness for what they were and should have been, otherwise I was a really gullible thing to have gotten fake greens. But the tiny gusts of air brushing my face from its nostrils meant good, I knew it, and, finally, it accepted my gifts. "Good Chocobo. Now that you're here, would you mind taking me for a ride?"

The creature stared at me with enormous crystal-like eyes. It blinked once and twittered, bending its stalk of a neck towards me. Even through this scrutiny, I maintained a smile to show I meant no harm. Eventually, the Chocobo circled around me and lowered its yellow body close to the ground to where I could actually mount it.

"You will? Thank you, I'm sooo glad you understand... My name's Drana by the way. Nice to meet you," I said, gently stroking the bird's neck. It trilled in response and looked back my way. "I was wondering if... you could take me as far east as you can? That'd be nice. I heard there was a cave over there, I hope so, anyways. You can drop me off there and then do whatever you like, okay?

"Hehe, thank you…"