Final Fantasy VI-2: Clyde's Journey

Chapter VII – The Odd Painting

Owzer and Clyde made their way along the side of the track, which finally came out onto level land. Clyde was still feeling tired, but figured that he could last just a bit longer. Owzer was walking close, his hands fidgeting, and his eyes shooting every which way, paranoid beyond belief.

"So Owzer… what was this painting of, and who painted it?" asked Clyde.

"It's an esper piece like the last one. Some rather eccentric fellow came by my house only a day before Kefka's downfall. Back then I had sent out for the best artists around, and I finally came across an amazingly talented girl, who painted the picture that ended up being possessed. Anywho, this man offered to paint me pictures of all the espers if I wanted. I asked him what his price was, and he said that my instructions would be given to me in time."

"What is up with you needing pictures of the espers?"

"What can I say? I like art and history! So putting the two together isn't so bad! As long as they remain uncorrupted of course…"

Clyde nodded and turned his attention back to the road ahead as Owzer coughed.

"Uh-oh."

Owzer's eyes shot forward. Coming up at the far off edge of the forest were the outlines of three chocobos with armed guards upon them. Thinking quickly, Clyde turned to the man before he began to panic.

"Owzer, don't you make another damn sound! Get up against that tree and curl up into a ball and cover yourself completely with that cape!"

"W-what? Why?"

"JUST DO IT!"

Owzer jumped and scurried over to the nearby tree, dropping onto the ground and bundling up beneath his red cape. Clyde quickly set his treasure bag down by Owzer. At first glance, Owzer looked like nothing more than a red bag, just what Clyde hoped to achieve.

"Now you keep perfectly still until I tell you to get up, alright?"

Owzer's head nodded beneath the cape.

"Hey! You there!" called one of the guards from afar.

Clyde turned his attention back to them as they came up on their running chocobos, stopping right on the tracks as they reached him. They were dressed the same as the guards on the train, except for the middle one who wore blue armor instead of red.

"Yes sirs?"

"We're looking for a fugitive out here!"

"Oh my, a fugitive? I assure you I've seen no one out here," Clyde replied as innocently as possible.

"Positive? He's impossible to miss, and he kind of looks like a frog!"

"I've seen some frogs, but I'm sure they were all just frogs, sirs."

One of the guards glanced over at Clyde's "bags". Clyde knew he was immediately suspicious.

"What's all of that?" asked the guard.

"My belongings, sir."

"Belongings, eh? You need two bags as big as those?"

"Yes sir, I do."

"Mind if we check 'em out?"

There was going to be trouble.

"I'd prefer it not, sirs."

"And why's that?" asked another guard as all three of them jumped off their chocobos and readied their spears.

"I just don't like it when others look through my personal things."

"Well bud, that's too bad now isn't it?" said the middle guard with a sneer.

One of them reached out with his spear and poked at the treasure sack, hearing the trinkets move inside. Luckily, that was enough clarification for them. Then, another guard poked at the red one. He got a curious look on his face after doing so, but Owzer kept absolutely still. Suddenly, the man heaved his arm back and thrust the spear forward. Clyde swiftly brought his sword down upon the weapon, deflecting it.

"Owzer! Get up and hide!" he yelled.

The three guards were perplexed as Owzer shot up screaming, running around the tree and away into the forest. They were about to pursue when Clyde landed a fast kick to one's chest.

"You'll regret your actions, boy!"

Their spears came stabbing at him quickly. Clyde swung his weapon back and forth to deflect their blows, but with three weapons attacking simultaneously, he was surely outmatched. Continually being pushed back, Clyde felt hopeless in this battle, when he suddenly gathered an idea. He waited until they all attacked at once, then he ducked and jumped completely out of the way, giving no stop to their momentum, which caused them to fall right into each other.

"Ow!"

"That sneaky retch!"

"That's my foot!"

"That's my head!"

Clyde chucked and ran to the three chocobos, shooing one of them away while he hoisted himself upon another and grabbed hold of the remaining one.

"Owzer! Get over here!" he called.

From behind a boulder, Owzer peeked his head up. The fat man came out from behind and came scuttling up to him.

"Get on the chocobo!"

"My, you're a daring fellow!" Owzer exclaimed as he heaved himself onto the bird with great difficulty.

Clyde then rushed over to his treasure bag and threw it over his back before edging the chocobo forward. Just as the guards recollected themselves, Clyde and Owzer were riding out of the forest and into the distance.

"What the! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?"

"Well maybe if you'd synchronize your hits better!"

"You're one to talk!"

"Hey! Both of you screwed up, but you know what? That's ok. We all make mistakes!"

"Woah there!"

"Both of us?"

"I don't think so!"

"You weren't so great yourself, Sergeant!"

Meanwhile, Clyde and Owzer were in the sights of South Figaro.

"We did it! Clyde, you are one amazing fellow!"

"Just trying to help out those in need, Sir Owzer."

"Yes, well… you're a noble man, you are!"

Clyde couldn't help but smirk a little. He was modest, but satisfied with his assistance to a well-known rich person. He was definitely disappointed in his fitness lately, however. It seems that after Kefka's Tower, he just kind of stopped fighting well. He would have to start getting back in to shape.

"I would assume it to be wise that we enter through another way?" said Owzer.

"Yes, given that they're probably still looking for you just in case you decided to return."

When they finally reached the edge of the town, the two of them went around to the north side, which was where Owzer's friend's house would be. Clyde leapt off his chocobo and let it go free, Owzer following suit.

"It'll be just over this wall here," said Owzer, gesturing to a new stairway that Clyde had never seen before.

The two of them looked around carefully for nearby guards. Finding it clear, they swiftly made their way up the steps, keeping their eyes peeled. Clyde noticed a patrolling guard and dropped low. He waited until the guard went out of site before continuing across the high platform to another set of stairs that went down into the small town. Down below, people covered the streets, providing excellent cover for the two fugitives.

"There it is," said Owzer, pointing to a house just next to the stairs.

The two of them practically ran down the stairs and into the house, shutting the door quickly behind them and sighing heavily.

"Ah! We've made it Clyde! Good work!'

"Yes. Now let's see that painting!"

"Of course!"

Owzer led Clyde past a short hallway and into the living room, where the floor was covered in gray stone that seemed to have been shattered. The house itself was very cozy, with not much to be seen but some casual furniture. Clyde carefully set his bag on the floor.

"My… this is very odd indeed," said Owzer.

"I suppose it wasn't like this before?"

"No, definitely not. I don't even know how he was killed exactly. The guards just said I was being convicted of murdering him! Oh, but there's the painting right there."

Clyde turned to the wall to see the large portrait. On it was a black boar, set in a ferocious-looking stance, one eye facing them. He remembered this esper. It was Shoat. He remembered using this esper once before the World of Balance became the World of Ruin. It was very powerful and capable of turning enemies into stone with just simple eye contact. Unfortunately, it had only worked once for him, and on rather weak attackers.

"You don't think it's… p-possessed… do you?" asked Owzer, beginning to get nervous once again.

"I can't really be sure. Is there anyone else that might have done him in?"

Owzer thought for a moment.

"No one comes to mind."

Clyde stared at the painting, focusing on it intently. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, and it wasn't likely that any demons would jump out from him just staring at it. However, he had no other ideas.

"Does it look alright to you? Nothing weird about it?" asked Owzer, who came up behind him.

"It looks perfectly normal in my eyes."

A slight glimmer caught his eye, however.

"What the…"

Clyde focused on the exposed eye of the painting, looking closely. The surface of the eye seemed much different from the canvas, and almost looked like a jewel. Then it dawned on him, and he looked at the stone on the floor.

"Owzer! Shut your eyes!" he yelled.

The two men immediately closed their eyes as a brilliant flash shined from the painting's eye. After a few moments, Clyde opened his. Not wasting a second, he thrust his sword through Shoat's eye, rendering whatever it was, useless.

"What did you do that for?"

"I don't know if this painting is possessed or not… but something is wrong with it. Where are your other esper paintings, Owzer?"

"At my house in Jidoor, why?"

"Good. We need to get to your house."

"What? You aren't going to ruin them all, are you?"

"I just might have to. If all of your paintings are doing what they could potentially be doing… then there are no other options."

"Oh lordy…"

Owzer let out a hacking cough.

"Very well… we'll have to travel out to my rowboat on the coast," said he.

"Rowboat? You came here in a rowboat?" asked Clyde in disbelief.

"Why yes! I feel that at my age, one must enjoy as many adventures as possible!"

"But… a rowboat. That will take forever!"

"Oh nonsense! With the two of us working together, it will be quite alright!" he said optimistically.

"You're an odd man, Sir Owzer."

"I have an appreciation for life!"

Owzer went to the door and peered outside casually, eyeing for nearby guards. Meanwhile, Clyde pulled his sword from the Shoat painting and took the portrait off the wall, bringing it down upon his knee and breaking it right in half, to which the sound of Owzer cringing could be heard.

"I believe it is all clear out here," he said from the door.

Clyde nodded and grabbed his treasures and sword, quietly sneaking out the front with Owzer behind him. The streets were still full of people, most of them workers who were set to expand the small town. Clyde told Owzer to go first up the stairs, and stop if he saw a guard. Luckily, nothing impeded their progress and they safely made it out of the town the same way they had entered.

Once outside, Owzer led the way around South Figaro and to the southwest coast. It would be somewhat of a long journey, and Clyde was getting even more weary with his bundle of plunder over his back.

"A rowboat…"

"Yes! Can you not appreciate an old man's desire for adventure?"

"I find airships to be more convenient."

"Oh, you young people and your fancy airships. What ever happened to work ethic?"

"Sir Owzer, you work?"

This made Owzer go silent. Clyde grinned and continued along the dreary dirt plains towards the yellow coast. He suddenly thought of Celes. The train was almost certainly already at the castle. How did she feel knowing that he was gone? Locke would've most likely told her of their encounter in the caboose… if he escaped, that is. He had been so close to reuniting with his comrades. Was he turning back into the loner he made himself out to be? Nah… it was just business. Train robbers can never stay in the same spot; like Owzer, one on the run has to always be on the move. However, at current… he was getting way too tired to do so.

"So Clyde… what is with your large bag right there, eh?"

"Oh this? Well, as I said before, I'm somewhat of a fugitive myself. This would be the reason why."

"Oh, I see! Train robber, eh? Don't see many, if any at all, of those these days."

Clyde was about to agree when something in the air caught his eyes. It was a distant shape that he could hardly make out, but it was moving closer and at great speed. Within moments he could gather a familiar shape. It was a giant, ivory-colored vessel flying in the air.

"The Falcon…"

"What's that?" asked Owzer, not hearing Clyde.

Clyde watched as the giant airship came flying past with a great sonorous woosh. Suddenly, it stopped in the air only yards ahead, taking Clyde and Owzer by surprise. The Falcon slowly descended, it's warship-like bridge stopping only feet from the ground. From the side, the familiar face of leather-jacket-clad Setzer Gabbiani came peering over, his long white hair billowing in the sudden wind.

"Hey there! You fellas need a ride?" called Setzer.

Clyde's eyes grew wide. Owzer came up to him timidly.

"You're not going to say yes… are you?" he whispered.

"Of course I am! Come on!" said Clyde, running over to the Falcon with joy.

Setzer disappeared from the side and the ship set itself all the way down, a rope ladder coming over the edge. Clyde anxiously hoisted his bag up to Setzer, who set it down to the side while Clyde ascended the ladder. Owzer nervously followed, looking down every second as he climbed up. Clyde got the feeling that he was a bit afraid of heights.

"Where are you guys headed to?" asked Setzer, once both were on their feet.

"Jidoor."

"Alrighty then! Let's get going!" he said excitedly, rushing over to the helm and pulling a simple lever.

The airship shook before steadily rising into the air, Owzer being startled by the jolt. Clyde looked out at the world ahead, feeling truly relaxed for the first time in hours. After his adventure, being on the airship was very comforting again. However, being in the presence of yet another friend was slightly discomforting.

"So, what exactly do you guys do?" Setzer asked as he set the Falcon on its course to the west.

"I'm… uh… his bodyguard!" Clyde stuttered.

Owzer quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh I see… and who is he?" Setzer asked, pointing to Owzer, who was cowering in the center of the deck.

"This is the world-famous Owzer! Renowned collector of art!" Clyde said in a rather exaggerated tone.

"Oh yes! I believe my friends met you once, Sir Owzer!"

"Mmm… ind-deed. C-came to rescue young Relm, yes?" he said shakily.

"Yep!"

Clyde purposely diverted his attention elsewhere, unwilling to recollect anything about those days at the moment.

"I guess after that painting went crazy you needed someone to protect you?" Setzer asked Owzer, who was still shaking on the floor.

"Y-yes! Quite!"

Setzer passed the short time by attempting to converse with the two of them. Emotionally, neither of them felt like talking much, however. Within about two minutes, Clyde and Owzer were finally set down right next to the city of Jidoor. Setzer bade them goodbye as he flew off into the distance. Clyde heaved his bag over his back for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.

"Ah! Home sweet home!" said Owzer, obviously still shaken from the airship ride.

"We'll have to find some other way to get your rowboat back," said Clyde as he went on into the town.

Owzer stalled for a moment and looked out to the coast.

"Damn," he said.