Dual Desire
By: 4quintessence
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Square Enix, the fanfiction to me.
Pairing: CliffxFayt, HanxLuke
Rating: PG
Summary: Cliff has to deal with a clingy Fayt in the only way he can. Then the foursome finally reaches the breathtaking, terraformed planet of Mars, the new centre of the universe after Earth's passing. Fayt has to deal with his newfound fame when he meets Ophelia, the new leader of the Federation remnants, then it's off to the Senate building to try to set up some sort of pangalactic force to rebuild the galaxy. Let's just say, easier said than done...
Note: I'm using the in-game dictionary as a reference so all the places mentioned are actually in there. Ally and Ophelia are mentioned in the Cliff solo ending. Trying to make this a realistic post-game scenario. SORRY this chapter is so long! I couldn't stop with the action and such. Shoutouts return next chapter! You know i love you guys anyhow!
Chapter 3:
Cliff had spent the previous few days seriously mulling over whether to tell Fayt about the forgotten suicide attempt at the Aquarian cliffs. He had come to the conclusion that — at least for the time being — he would not recount the events of that dreadful night to his friend. The blond still felt the same way as he did back when he first met Fayt: withholding information of this nature was necessary in order to protect the bluenette and lessen his already intense emotional pain. It would remain a secret just like Cliff had kept the knowledge that Fayt was a weapon under wraps when they travelled across Elicoor. Some things are better left unspoken…
And now the half-naked Klausian found himself in a terribly awkward position. Banishing his thoughts of that day as he lay on his side in bed, he began to contemplate how to get out of this one. The first thing Cliff had noticed after waking up was that his companion's arm was wrapped snugly around his toned chest, hand resting over one of his nipples. Without turning to look behind him, the blond could feel Fayt pressing into his back, snoring softly onto the sensitive sweep of his neck. What's more, somehow or another, Fayt's legs had become entangled with Cliff's during the night. And to top it off, the blond could feel the unnerving poke of the bluenette's member against his buttcheek. Ahhh, to be young...and always having a hard-on, whether with reason or not, Cliff mused, trying to see the light side of the situation.
For a split second the blond wondered whether he was said reason. Ya...no. That's ridiculous. He's lonely, scared and just wants to be close to someone. From what he's told me, he hasn't even been hugged by his own parents for a long time...always so busy...and now one is gone and one is missing… Cliff briefly thought about his own dad which immediately bolstered his belief that all the bluenette wanted was someone to be there for him. Which he was doing by not freaking out and jumping out of the bed.
Still, the Klausian really had to go pee. But how to get up without waking his buddy? And what would Fayt think if he woke up and discovered the position they were in? It's not like he did this on purpose anyway, riiight...?
I KNOW!! his mind suddenly screamed, inspiration blossoming like a rose in the stillness of dawn.
Cliff clenched his fist and it began to glow sapphire with symbological energy that shimmered upwards along the grooves between his fingers. "Stun," he muttured rather regretfully as the spell shot from his hand towards Fayt and magically shifted him from a light slumber to a dead-to-the-world snooze bordering on unconsciousness. Maybe a little harsh, but it was the easiest way out of the situation. The blond untangled himself and carefully lifted Fayt's limp arm off his chest before sprinting to the bathroom, his hair flipping from side to side in the self-created breeze.
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After an uncomfortable breakfast where very few words were exchanged, Fayt and Cliff contacted the Falcon to notify them that the shields had recovered and they were ready to go. Both ships made the jump to gravitic warp and vanished with a brilliant silver sparkle from the edge of the asteroid field like two empyreal stars.
As the bluenette sat quietly in his seat on the bridge, it dawned on him that he was returning to the Sol System for the first time since this whole adventure began. All he felt was numbness in response to this realization, but that was certain to change if they were to go to the place where Earth once floated majestically through space like a multihued beach ball getting gently kicked through the cosmic dust by the ceaseless sun. Good thing they were going to Mars, which through the years had pretty much become a second Earth.
Within an hour they had arrived. Cliff dropped the Saviour out of hyperspace, with the Falcon following behind like a baby ship clinging to its mommy in an unfamiliar place.
As they cruised towards Mars, the planet grew bigger and bigger and a sparse spattering of Federation ships became visible. Wow, Fayt pondered. Those Executioners really did a number on the fleet. Soon clusters of ships from other star systems came into view: the Vendeeni were there, ships from planets formerly under Aldian control before the latter was wiped out by the invaders, the Estoch System, the Hyda System, the Arkula system, from planets Roak, Tetragenesis, Lesonia, Elda III, Rondo Lukian, and even another ship from the Klaus system.
"Oh god," Cliff exclaimed as they stared out the front screen. "The place is gonna be swarming with politicians Fayt — look at all the systems that showed up. I wasn't expecting everyone to be so eager to set up another pangalactic government...then again...maybe they're only here to see you." He glanced towards Fayt out of the corner of his eyes, looking — no, hoping — for a reaction.
The bluenette had stopped blinking and one teensy-tiny sweatdrop — easily seen by Cliff's enhanced vision — was trickling down his forehead. The Klausian was just about to make a joke about not turning to stone before the big meeting when Fayt finally spoke up.
"I don't think I can do this whole famous thing…"
"Nah, don't sweat it. Just shake people's hands, nod your head, and smile. Always gets me through these sorts of things...plus, if anyone gets too close, I'll just lay the smackdown and we'll find somewhere quiet to chill for a while," Cliff promised as he walloped a fist into his open palm and grinned monstrously.
Fayt exhaled loudly through his nose. "Oh thanks, that's gonna really help I'm sure. I can see the headline now: 'Saviour of the Universe Gets into Fight with Leader of Roak...Negotiations Fall Apart'."
"Hey now, hold on just a sec. It wouldn't be you doin' the fighting," the blond clarified, "it would be your devilishly handsome bodyguard sidekick...and y'know what they say, any publicity is good publicity, I really don't mind."
Geez, he's never gonna kiss me if we keep bickering like this. Fayt decided not to respond with a snarky comment and instead focused on watching the descent to Mars.
Cliff wouldn't give up so easy. "So, I forgot to tell ya this, but there's this super important speech ya haveta give in front of all the representatives when we get there…but hey, no pressure..."
Every muscle in the bluenette's body instantly tensed up and he flung his head around to glare at his companion with an 'I'm gonna kill you if you're not joking' sorta look. The blond exploded into laughter and slapped his thigh while pointing with his other hand at Fayt's face as his eyes welled up with tears of joy.
Fayt tried unsuccessfully to keep a straight-face as he summoned an ice symbology and froze Cliff's hand to his thigh in mid-slap. The laughing shifted from one side of the room to the other as the Klausian tried desperately to break his hand free.
"It should melt by the time we land," the bluenette stated matter-of-factly. He felt much better now.
As the two ships orbited the planet and approached the outer reaches of the Martian atmosphere, the sun appeared around the globe's crescent edge in a bombardment of bedazzlement, like a tongue of flame it sent faint rays bouncing and frolicking across the long, wispy clouds gathered on a solitary side of the planet. Sunbeams of splendor subsequently sprung off the clouds and towards a cornucopia of orbiting space stations and heating mirrors that further reflected the light in countless directions, illuminating each of the waiting ships against the backdrop of the Milky Way's spectacular star ocean.
Soon they were descending through the bumpy layers of atmosphere and watching as streaks of sunlight plummeted towards the surface alongside them, igniting and awakening the patches of vermilion landscape into a frenzied firestorm unlike any other planet in the galaxy. Unfortunately, these plots of protected, untouched land were few and far between as Mars had become an ecumenopolis, or city planet, where over the years the urban areas had expanded and eventually fused into one continuous, worldwide city. Clearly visible from space were the unnatural straight lines and rings of the cities, like mysterious crop circles on a farm of deep red soil. The artificial Caspian Sea came into view next, the only visible body of water on the planet (it is elevated so parts of the city are actually under it), glistening all alone against the technological grandeur of mankind.
The Saviour and the Falcon finally lowered to the level of cloud formation, where the real hustle and bustle began. Sprawling skyscrapers appeared before them: smooth, beautiful, futuristic buildings of fantastic design and varying heights. There were big open plazas lined with gigantic circular, dome structures and stadiums, and pedestrian walkways with grandiose arches curling over them bordered by flashy, scintillating holographic screens. With many layers to the city, much was elevated far off the ground, and the wealthiest people literally lived among the sky. All around flying cars were zooming this way and that around stunning statues and manmade waterfalls that came right out of buildings and into parks. The colossal planetary creation cannon poked far above all in one section of the metropolis, symbological energy pulsing restlessly at its feet. Mars was sometimes called 'The Garden City', and the abundance of trees growing wherever they could be planted attested to that.
"This place is unbelievable!" was all that came through the comm. link from the Falcon.
They received the okay to land and two Federation jets arrived to escort them to the space port.
The central square of the planet was now coming into view. In its heart, Fayt could see a massive, colourful memorial to Earth being built — it was a realistic looking replica of the lost planet that towered over the piazza complete with moving clouds and a rotation of its own. Up ahead, the behemothic backup Pangalactic Senate loomed above all else in the intricate, complex shape of a rose (with a thick stem for construction purposes), the universal symbol of a flourishing democracy.
During the final descent to the landing docks beside the Senate building, Fayt spotted a banner hanging on its front with a picture of himself leaning on his sword with a rune glowing in one hand! Only he was a stone statue on the poster, complete with blue hair, and the sign was declaring the intention to build this masterpiece at the entrance to the building.
Fayt Leingod the Great felt like he was going to be sick.
By the time he had caught his bearings, they had landed and he found himself apprehensively walking alongside Cliff down the main ramp and into the sunshine. Han and Luke were running over from the adjacent landing pad.
"This is even better than Coruscant!" Luke exclaimed breathlessly. "Not that I've ever been there or anything...but from what I've heard…"
"Ya, sometimes it's a little too much, but I still get amazed every time I come here," Fayt explained wearily. "The story of Mars is actually really incredible."
Han scanned the area, looking a little confused. "So, where is everyone?"
"Oh...there they are," Cliff replied, catching sight of a mob of holographers and dignitaries rushing towards them from the plaza. The bluenette stood aghast at the sight of a sea of onlookers holding up bobbing posters plastered with his face, like he was some kind of hero. And he refused to believe such a thing.
Suddenly, a red carpet materialized in front of him and before he knew it, Ophelia herself was striding up to shake his hand. Fayt's first impression was that she was quite beautiful, with her long dark blonde hair, youthful complexion, and 'warrior princess' clothing that was remarkably similar to Nel's — with a little more colour and showing more skin up top. The only thing that irked him was the third eye in the middle of her forehead; of course, all Tetrageniots exhibited this distinguishing characteristic, but still, it took a while to get used to.
"It's so good to finally meet you, Fayt Leingod," she announced vivaciously before turning to the holographers to allow them a shot. Blinding lights flashed left and right as they obtained mini 3-D holograms of Fayt and Ophelia for the various galactic news agencies and for personal use. "It's truly terrible what happened to Earth, you have my condolences and my assurance that its legacy will live on, starting with the galaxy-wide memorial next week. More importantly, we owe our lives to your bravery and relentlessness in tracking down the leader of the Executioners and stopping the carnage they brought to our galaxy."
The guards held back the rabid spectators as more politicians came forward to shake his hand and get a hologram taken. Meanwhile, Ophelia had moved on to greet Cliff, a cheshire cat grin donning her face.
"Long time no see, Mr. Cliff Fittir," she chuckled, shaking his hand energetically. "Finally getting yourself out of trouble are you? It's about time you had Quark disbanded and I'm glad you'll now have an influential seat at the table of the new government. I hear you played a big part in defeating Luther."
"Well, ya, you could say that," he replied, casually itching behind one ear. "But you're also doin' a great job leading what's left of the Federation...which isn't much let me tell you," he cheerfully retorted.
Ophelia laughed heartily. "Anyway, it's too bad you got caught in that asteroid field, but no worries since we delayed the talks until your arrival. Here, go get a holo with Fayt, you're one hot commodity now," she winked before moving on to greet Han and Luke, not too sure who they were exactly, but knowing they must be important if they were travelling with superstars Fayt and Cliff.
"Wait a sec…" Cliff began, before getting dragged over to where Fayt was standing with the other VIPs. We never told anyone why we were late…
----------------------------------------------------
"So whaddaya think?" the blond urged of Fayt as they strolled down a white corridor lined with windows in the Senate building. "...of Ophelia?"
"H-o-t," he replied decisively. Cliff looked satisfied while Fayt just rolled his eyes. "But not my type."
The blond caught up with him and rested a hand on the bluenette's shoulder. "Well what is exactly is your type anyway, huh?"
"I dunno…tall, blond hair…" he began without even noticing it. Cliff's inquisitive eyes woke him from his spell. "...Hey! Wait a minute, it's none of your business, nosey!"
"Heh, at least I know a little bit now about yer likings…" The Klausian stopped short when Fayt flashed one of his 'shutup now or you'll soon be in a coma' looks. Fayt had learned that one from Albel.
They had ditched the hordes of infatuated fans at the entrance to the building and were now walking towards the main chamber with Ophelia and a bunch of other politicians. The group stepped onto a platform that whooshed up a translucent tube to the next level of the building.
"What's with that guy over there," Han suddenly whispered as he pointed to a humanoid that was up ahead talking with Ophelia.
Cliff had noticed that person earlier and thought it rather strange. "I dunno. I've never seen that species before and I pride myself as an expert on such matters…"
The being in question had very peculiar hair — depending on the angle you looked at it, it appeared as a different colour. From where they were currently watching, the humanoid's hair was morphing between brown and purple as they walked along behind it. Cliff had also noticed earlier that it had a larger than average forehead and an extra finger on each hand. Other than that, it would have easily been mistaken for an Earthling.
The bluenette racked his brain searching for a memory of this species when Luke tapped him on the collar bone. "Hey, Fayt, you were gonna tell me a bit about Mars right?"
"Oh ya, of course. Well about 750 years ago, around the time of the development of the first warp engine, Mars was pretty much a barren rock and Earth's Terran government decided to have it terraformed so humans wouldn't be stuck living in domes there anymore. Plus there was a lot of worry at the time that we needed to inhabit another planet in case we destroyed Earth ourselves. Anyways, the atmosphere was thickened with carbon dioxide and so forth, the cities grew and grew until they encompassed the entire planet and polar ice was pumped to the urban areas as a water supply. A self-contained ecosystem has been developed within the planet's buildings in order to grow food and almost everything used is recycled…" Oh my, this is getting too technical, I'm starting to sound like Maria.
Fayt's voice wavered off as they turned a corner and entered a large rectangular meeting room with a first-class view of the city. The two dozen or so people all crowded inside, guards included, and the door swished close and locked behind them. Cliff sensed something fishy so he stepped in front of Fayt before instinctively flexing his huge biceps and clenching his fists, gauntlets at the ready. His hunch was right.
The shadowy humanoid at Ophelia's side spun around and locked eyes with Fayt, who was unable to look away. They were piercing him like Nel's razor-sharp daggers, digging into him, searching for something…
The mystery man's hair was now jet black. "Fayt Leingod and Cliff Fittir, you are under arrest. Please cooperate and don't make this anymore difficult for us."
Fayt and Cliff were speechless. An ambassador from Expel, in the Arkula system, was the first to step forward, outraged. "HOW DARE YOU UTTER SUCH RIDICULOUS NONSENSE! Under what charges? These two men are heroes...what is going on here? Who are you anyways? OPHELIA EXPLAIN THIS IMMEDIATELY!"
The leader of the Federation remnants hid behind her long bangs as she faced the floor, clearly saddened. "I'm sorry...you're too late…I have no choice…"
The man beside her raised his arm. "SEIZE THEM!"
The guards clustered around Ophelia and the stranger and began to march towards the group. "Listen! Everyone contact your leaders!" Fayt commanded, now fully alert. "Tell them to get out of the Sol System immediately and wait for my orders! It's some sort of takeover! Led by that man!" He pointed to the culprit. The dozen politicians in the room barked orders into their communicators, notifying their respective parties up in the main Senate chamber.
Right then one of the guards shot a politician, who slumped to the floor...lifeless. All hell broke loose.
Cliff lunged at Fayt, wrapping him in his arms, and jumped down under the table, milliseconds before a gun blast burnt through the exact spot where they were standing. The diplomats had begun shooting back at the guards, using the metal chairs as shields. Han was right in there with them, blaster on overdrive, and Luke had revealed his hidden lightsaber, which glowed emerald in the billowing gunfire smoke. He blocked every phase shot that came his way, reflecting them back at the aggressors.
"HAN!" Cliff bellowed, shielding Fayt with his body. "Blast the door switch!"
A moment later the control panel was writhing with electricity and had short circuited. The door flew open and Fayt, Cliff, Han, Luke, and the few surviving politicians sped out into the hallway. Through the windows they could see that several herculean starships were already lifting off from the space port — Fayt hoped the leaders had transported straight from the Senate chamber and were now safe. All of a sudden a warning came out over the public announcement system: Attention, there has been a security breach. Transport scrambler now operational. Full lock down in progress. Please remain where you are until the threat has passed.
The terrified group barrelled down the hall towards the elevator tube, firing at the guards on their tail. A door opened in front of them and a handful of guards appeared, blocking their way. Luke leapt out ahead and sliced down every single one of them in a stormy viridian haze splattered with bolts of blood.
"HOLY CRAP LUKE!" Fayt cried. "You never told me about that thing you're using!?"
Luke shrugged, the sweat forming on this forehead. "Never came up I guess."
"No time for chitchat! Let's get a move on!" Cliff roared.
"Don't look now, but we've got company!" Han interjected, unsure of who was approaching.
They had arrived at an intersecting corridor before the elevator and a convoy of diplomats raced down one hall to join them. "We didn't transport out in time," one of them gasped, clutching her knee. "We just came from the Senate chamber — some unfamiliar humanoids started attacking us."
More guards were coming up behind them so everyone stuffed into the elevator to drop to the main floor of the building. The group ran down the last hallway and came out at the top of the spiraling moving walkway that led to the entrance below. Suddenly, a mass of humanoids — that strange species — spread out to cover the entranceway, blocking the exit while firing shots up at Fayt and co. The blond screeched to a stop and motioned everyone down.
"Time to pull out all the stops, Fayt!" Cliff advised as he rushed towards the guards that were now coming down the hall from the elevator. The Klausian growled profanities at his victims before he savagely pummeled them into the walls with his noxious knuckles, fists skillfully swinging this way and that, faster than any Martian could react to. He single-handedly continued disposing of any that tried to approach from the elevator as the main group collapsed to the ground and began firing down at the enemies below with their phase guns.
"We're in trouble!" Han yelled, slipping his head back behind the safety of an info terminal after taking a shot. "Our blasters don't seem to be doing anything to those wackos down there! Anybody got any bright ideas right about now?"
Shit, time for a different tactic. Fayt slowly raised one hand in the air — eyes widening and filling with dark, dangerous determination — and called upon a thunder symbology. The room briefly dimmed and a wicked lightning bolt blasted from the ceiling to the entranceway below, its feelers of pandemonium spreading outwards at impact and passing right through the enemies with a deafening crash. The strangers shuddered as they were electrocuted and fell to the floor, but they were soon back up again. Some of the dignitaries followed the bluenette's lead, aiming fire and ice spells to the lower level. That's weird...I've never seen a humanoid species with such resistance to phasefire and symbology. Fayt failed to notice that Han and Luke were staring at him with thoroughly shocked expressions — Han with his blaster frozen in front of him and Luke not noticing that his lightsaber was searing into the floor.
Luke eyes fluttered a few times before he came to his senses. "I'm going down there! It's the only way!" he proclaimed, making a move for the spiraling walkway. Without second thought, the bluenette followed behind him, ideas of how to get out of this situation spinning through his head, blocking out Cliff's cries to stay put. Well, what about something stronger…if we can't get rid of them, at least we can move them out of the way...
The duo burst into the mass of humanoids and went to work. Luke began slicing and dicing left and right, jumping into the air, and intermittently throwing his lightsaber out in front of him to chop off some unsuspecting enemy's arm. He was trying to make a path through the centre of the mob to the front doors. The group upstairs recognized this and started to carefully file down the walkway, Han in front and Cliff at the rear, both dodging the invaders' phasefire. Fayt placed his hands together in front of him, as if in silent prayer, and recondite sorcery started to twist and twirl around his fingers as he focused on summoning another incantation. The noise of battle was momentarily lost to him while he closed his sparkling jade eyes, readying for the casting.
"NOOO!" Cliff shouted from above. Fayt didn't know it, but one of the humanoids had snuck up and was about to shoot him at close range. The Klausian pounced off the edge of the spiral walkway and flew fist-first into the culprit, smashing its head into the floor in a pool of liquescent rubies (still not dead though). While he did this, another enemy got a shot away, which grazed Cliff's right shoulder, causing blood to spurt forth. Fayt's eyes finally exploded open, supernova style. "EARTH GLAIVE!" His hands parted and he flung his slender arms outward, commanding the earth below. The ground began to rumble, cracking the floor in two as dual slabs rose into the air on either side of him, humanoids tumbling off them and towards the walls. The enemy was stuck behind these protruding mounds of earth and Fayt now had a clear, albeit dirty, path to the front door. Everyone rushed out into the sunlight and straight towards the space port hanger. The representatives waved their thanks and raced to their respective ships. Han and Luke sprinted towards the Millennium Falcon but soon found themselves flat on their backs. They had run into a shield that had been erected around their ship.
"Forget that!" Cliff hollered, about to board the Saviour. "Come with us!"
A mechanic came running over to them. "I don't know what's going on, but I do know they're about to raise the planetary shield to prevent you from escaping! Hurry! And good luck to you!"
Fayt, Cliff, Luke, and Han glanced exhaustingly at one another. Solo summed up their thoughts, the words oozing from his lips: "Oh no, this sure as hell ain't over yet…"
OMFG! TO BE CONTINUED!
(Wow, I love this chapter! So much fun writing it, I don't think I've done anything like it. By the way, I forgot to mention before that the game dictionary says Fayt's destruction power can actually alter the physical laws of the universe, hence what happened in chapter 1 could actually happen! I didn't just make it up! I looked up 'terraforming' in wikipedia and its very interesting. They even have theories on how to terraform Mars! already! and pictures!)
