Zozo

Everyone gathered around Terra's bed. Locke pulled out the Magicite of the Esper named Maduin. "Terra ! Look, we've brought some magicites !"

This particular Magicite seemed to cause her to react. Terra opened her eyes and blinked several times. "Father ? I remember it all… I was raised in the Esper's World."

Begin Flashback

In the realm of Espers, one named Maduin did his usual stroll near the Sealed Gate that lead to the Human world. He was shocked to find a Human woman, lying unconscious near the entrance to their realm. He did the thing that made the most sense to him, take her with him and bring her to the Elder's home.

The following day, Maduin visited the woman to find out she was still sleeping. An Esper that looked like a Fairy was tasked to watching over the woman.

"She's pretty weak. Better let her rest a moment."

Maduin walked over to her, accidentally waking her up. She rose and looked up to him. "You're… an Esper ? What's that pendant for ?"

Maduin gladly offered the pendant to the woman. "It's… yours now ! It helps protect the Esper World."

The woman stepped out of bed and donned the pendant. "Esper World ? Boy, did I take the low road or what ?"

Maduin paced around the girl, careful not to vex her. "The Esper folk are pretty upset, you being Human and all…"

The woman stared at him. "You the one… who saved me ?"

The Esper nodded. "I am Maduin. I tired of living in the Human world… That world is filled with desire, greed and loathing. It's highly infectious…"

The woman crossed her arms. "Are Espers and Humans truly… so different ? So… I'm an example of evil in that world, huh ?"

Maduin shook his head. "No… I mean…"

She let out a frustrated sigh. "My name is Madonna. I'll return to my world tomorrow."

Maduin was very willing to help her out. "You'll need a guide."

The next day, Maduin woke up and went to the Elder's house only to find that Madonna had already left. Hurrying towards the Sealed Gate, he met up with her. "If you don't want to return to your world, you may stay here."

Madonna raised an eyebrow. "But Espers and Humans cannot coexist…"

Maduin grabbed her by the hands. "How do we know unless we observe for ourselves ?" Maduin danced with Madonna in the air, his Magic working with her. "How do we know… unless we… observe for ourselves ?"

Out of thin air, a baby appeared between them. "I've given her a name."

Madonna was incapable to understand how a baby could be conceived out of pure magic, but was thrilled to suddenly have a daughter anyways. "What is it ?"

Maduin held his family with great pride. "It's Terra. Not bad, huh ?"

2 years later…

"Humans ! The nexus between our worlds has opened again ! The wind… so odd… Just like 2 years ago… But something's different now… Troops have come seeking our magical power. Blast it ! They've made it as far as the Elder's House !" Terra recalled.

Emperor Gestahl entered the Esper World, looking very pleased. "Aha ! We've finally found it ! Those ancient writings told us of this world, and described the awesome magical properties of these beasts !" Soldiers gathered around him. "Grab them ! Riches to any man that captures an Esper ! GO !" More soldiers poured into the Esper World, hunting down any and all Esper present.

Inside the Elder's house, Maduin was staying near Madonna and Terra, ready to protect them from the Imperial troops.

The Elder came upon a difficult decision. "We've no choice… We must do what we've been avoiding…"

Maduin knew exactly what he meant. "You mean… the Magic Barrier ?"

The Elder lowered his head sadly. "Here's the plan. We'll create a tempest that will sweep all the nasty creatures out of our realm. Then we'll seal the Gate… I am the last of our kind able to cast this magical Seal."

"But in your state, you might just…" Maduin began to protest.

The Elder was ready for his final act. "Pass away… but at least we'll finally be safe."

Maduin looked out to his "wife". "Madonna…"

She shook her head. "I, for one, will not miss the other side."

The Elder moved out to the Sealed Gate. "Let's do it. We have no other choice."

An Esper, which looked like a wolf, began showing signs of mistrust. "This is all because of that human girl !"

Maduin looked at his fellow Esper in shock. "Nonsense !"

"I'm sure she helped the others to find us !" The Wolf Esper continued.

Maduin shook his head. "Get a grip on yourself !"

The Wolf Esper kept on with his point. "No ! She's one of them ! Soon she'll be wearing our hide !"

That comment caused Madonna to carry Terra with her and run off to the Sealed Gate. Maduin followed quickly. When he reached the Sealed Gate, Madonna was nowhere to be seen. Only Emperor Gestahl and a few soldiers stood near.

The strong winds caused by the Seal pushed Gestahl and the soldiers further and further away from the Esper world. "No ! Just when we were in reach of a veritable bonanza !" He was pushed back to the Human world.

Maduin raced to the entrance of the Human world and found Madonna lying on the ground, lightly wounded. "Maduin, I'm not their friend…"

Maduin felt relief that the Wolf's accusations were purely wrong. "I understand that ! Can you make it back ?"

Madonna slowly rose up. "Sure…" The strong winds blew Terra into the Human world. "Terra !" She was drawn back into her world afterwards.

Maduin was dragged at his turn. "Madonna !"

All three appeared before Emperor Gestahl's feet. He picked up Terra, whom was crying loudly. "A… Human girl ? Wh… Who is she ?"

Madonna's strength was giving out. "Please… take care… of my baby…"

Gestahl looked at the three and pieced the puzzle together. "YOUR girl ?! Eh ?! Hmm… Then she's Half-Human and Half-… How absolutely fascinating ! Mwa ha ha ! She will help up realize our dreams faster than we ever imagined !"

Madonna struggled to stand up, realizing the horrible future for her daughter. "N…. noooooo !"

"Quiet, my dear !" Gestahl stabbed Madonna in the heart, ending her life. "We will own this world ! Ha ha ha !"

End Flashback

Terra reverted back to her "Human form". As Locke held the Maduin Magicite, it resonated with her.

"That was my Father… ? I'm the product of an Esper and a Human… That's where I got my powers… Now I understand… I finally feel I can begin to control this power of mine…"

Locke held his chin in thought. "So Gestahl must have known the secret of the Espers' power back then. And those Espers at the Facility were grabbed during that expedition. That means Celes' power came… at the expense of an Esper…"

Sabin was itching to give the Empire a good beating. "They can't get away with this ! We have to strike back !"

Terra rose from her bed. "What's happening in Narshe ?"

Ahsoka slapped her forehead. "Of course ! Banon is still waiting for us ! Maybe he and Arvis finally managed to convince the townsfolk to band with us."

Locke handed the Maduin Magicite over to Terra. "Maybe we should head back there…"

Setzer motioned to the Blackjack waiting outside the town. "The airship's ready."

Terra began to feel more confident in her abilities. "Come on, everybody. Let's go."

After a quick flight, the group soon landed near Narshe.

Narshe

As they entered the city limits, a guard went to meet with them. "We've been waiting for you. This way, please…" He lead them to the Elder's house.

Banon was relieved to see them, safe and sound. "Oh, you're here ! The people of Narshe have finally agreed to battle the Empire. How did it go at Vector ?"

Locke, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka told Banon of their adventure, leaving the part about Celes disappearing for another time.

Arvis understood what would be requested of everyone. "I see. Your plan would combine Narshe's money with Figaro's machinery to storm the Empire. Not enough manpower, though…"

Banon suggested something risky, yet necessary. "We have to open the Sealed Gate…"

Terra conveniently walked in on the conversation. "… to the Esper world ?"

Arvis pleaded with Terra. "We'll never beat the Empire without them."

Banon thought of a strategy. "When the Gate has been opened, the Espers can attack from the East. We'll storm in at the same time, from the North. No way around it. We MUST get the Espers to understand. We have to establish a bond of trust between the Humans and Espers. Only one person can do this…"

All eyes gazed at Terra. She felt an enormous amount of pressure, yet she knew she was capable. "Half-Human, Half-Esper, my existence is proof that such a bond CAN exist." She volunteered for the task. "I'll do it ! I'm the only one who can !"

As Terra went back to the Blackjack, Locke lead Obi-Wan, Ahsoka and Setzer around the town, looking for treasures. They met with an old man who looked weary about something.

"That infamous thief, Lone Wolf, has being sighted recently. Are my treasures safe ?"

They ran to small isolated cabin, upon entering, they came face to fang with the thief in question. He looked at the group, irritated that he got caught red-handed. "Gah ! I've been made ! I am Lone Wolf, the pickpocket. I wanted that treasure !" He escaped through the roof. As the group followed him back to where the frozen Esper Tritoch laid, he had a Moogle hostage. A small creature with white fur, a small antennae and wings. Adorable but also devastatingly powerful.

"Stand back, or this one gets it !"

The party kept their distance.

After a moment, the Moogle, named Mog, stood up and began to dance.

Lone Wolf knew he was in trouble. "Guh ! Got a live one here !"

Mog's dance sent both to opposite cliff edges. The party approached the Moogle and helped him up. "Thankupo !"

Ahsoka's eyes went wide in surprise. "You can talk ?!"

Mog snickered. "Of course, I can talk ! Kupo ! That old psycho, Ramuh, came to me in a dream and told me to be expectin' you. So… I'm gonna… join your party, kupo !"

Lone Wolf still held on to the cliff's edge. "If that's how it's gonna be… you'll never get this Gold Hairpin !" He threw himself down to his death.

Obi-Wan scratched his head in confusion. "Well… that was… unexpected. It possibly was a rare Relic… but was it really that useful for us ?"

Mog hopped around the group for a few seconds, before heading off to the Blackjack. "I'll be waiting in the airship, kupo !"

Ahsoka raised an eye marking. "What a funny little guy. Can he really help us ?"

Locke scoffed at her. "Don't be deceived by his appearance. Moogles can dance up a storm !"

Ahsoka leaned towards Obi-Wan. "Master, that little fella is so cute ! He's coming with us, right ?"

"I do believe Terra will take him with us, Ahsoka. He could help. I definitely want to see him in action."

So we finally learn the truth about Terra. Anyone saw that plot twist coming ? And now Mog joins the group. He is simply flat-out awesome. His Dances have various effects that are always powerful. I always loved his character description. "Human-loving, fast-talking, street-smart, SLAM-dancing… Moogle…" Over the next chapter, we'll cover Mog's initial training. Now that Locke learned all the spells from Shiva back at the Magitek Research Facility, it's time to move him out of the group in favor of Terra, who's back with her ability to "Morph" into her Esper form, which doubles her physical strength and magical abilities. So Terra, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka and Mog will be passing through the mystical Sealed Cave to the East of the Southern Continent. A treacherous cavern filled with powerful monsters and bizarre traps. In the end, they'll reach the Sealed Gate leading to the Esper world. Will everything go according to plan ? You'll find out over the weekend. Feel free to leave a review.