Chapter 3
Preparing The Boat
The next morning, Zidane woke up and walked outside to get some fresh air. The sun shone brightly over Madain Sari and its rays warmed Zidane to the bone. He looked around and walked to the kitchen. "Chimomo? Hey Chimomo!" he called, "I'm down here, kupo!" Chimomo called back. His voice came from the harbour. Zidane rushed below and found the little moogle inspecting the boat that was down there.
"What are you doing?" Zidane asked, "Kupo. I'm seeing which parts of the boat need improving, kupo." He answered. Zidane thought for a moment, "Good idea. We'll need to make the parts we need though. Is there any spare material we can use?" he asked Chimomo. "We should do. Under the raised platform in the kitchen, kupo." Answered Chimomo. Zidane we back up the stairs and checked underneath the platform and pulled out a pile of unused wood, "This'll do nicely." He thought. He raced back down with some of the wood under his arm.
"Here. Will this do?" he asked the moogle. Chimomo turned around to face him, and then looked at the wood he had collected. "That's great, kupo!" said Chimomo in an upbeat manner. "Yeah, all we have to do now is use this wood, and the wood that's upstairs, to improve the boat and make it stronger. It won't be easy making it back to Alexandria through the choppy waves." Zidane explained. "Let's get to work, kupo!" Chimomo declared.
Zidane and Chimomo worked on strengthening the boat for one straight week, day and night, sunny or grim. Resting for only a few hours a night. Sometimes things went brilliantly. At other times, their efforts had completely fallen apart. They also became quite good friends during the process. After a week had passed, the boat was finally ready to set sail for Alexandria.
"Well, that's it, Chimomo. We've done all we can to improve the boat. And I'm sure it's enough, if not, more so." Said Zidane. "That's good to here, kupo." Chimomo responded, "When do we leave?" he added. "Not yet. We've prepared the boat, now we need to prepare ourselves. Sailing round the world isn't easy you know." Zidane answered, "Get plenty of sleep and food in your belly. It'll be a long trip." He added. "Ok, kupo." Said Chimomo, then they both headed to bed. Chimomo suddenly stopped, "Kupopo! I almost forgot, kupo!" Zidane rushed back, "What is it!?" he asked. "Before we set sail, I need to show you something, kupo." He told Zidane. "Why don't you show me now?" Zidane asked. "Not now, kupo. It's outside the village, and it's too late to go out now, kupo." Explained Chimomo. "Ok then, show me tomorrow." Said Zidane. And they both went to bed.
The next morning, Zidane woke up earlier than the sun. "Today's the day we set sail!" he said to himself. "Wow. I'm finally going to see Dagger again... I'm kinda nervous." He thought. He got out of bed and went to wake up Chimomo, who was sleeping in the kitchen. "Wake up little guy. Today's the day." He said. Chimomo's eyes slowly opened, "I don't think that even the worms are up yet, kupo." Chimomo murmured. Zidane laughed, "Come on, no excuses, today we leave for Alexandria!" he said.
Chimomo suddenly perked up, "Yay! Finally, our hard work pays off, kupo!" he cheered. "That's the spirit! C'mon, we've gotta be out of here in two hours." Zidane told him. The moogle jumped up, "Oh! Oh! Kupopo! I almost forgot, kupo!" he said in a shocked manner. "Is something wrong?" asked Zidane. Chimomo looked up at him, "I still need to show you something, kupo!" he explained. Zidane suddenly remembered, "That's right. You did say you wanted to show me something." He claimed. "Follow me, kupo." Ordered Chimomo, urgently. And he followed him outside the village.