Disclaimer- I don't own Final Fantasy or any of the characters in this story.
Krimson- Actually, you know what? I don't care anymore! Forget about the disclaimer! I do own the characters in this story! Hooray for me!
Damien- Hey, there's some guys in suits who want to talk to you.
Krimson- Huh?
Damien- They keep saying 'lawsuit'. I think they're lawyers.
Krimson- Oh god! ImsorryImsorryImsorry!!!
Damien- They looked pretty pissed.
Krimson- I don't own anything! Really! Everything does belong to Square-Enix!
Damien- I think they had guns.
Krimson- Aaauuuugggghhhh!!!
Damien- This is Chapter 10: Aftermath.
Krimson- Please don't sue me!
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After the defeat of Giganos, things settled down pretty quickly. The Black Mages continued to work on making the mist capsules while Kuja continued to draw more rejuvenation circles. Zidane, Mikoto and Lani were sitting together on a grassy knoll off to the side, recovering after the hard fight. Mikoto and Lani were talking while Zidane tried to get some sleep.
"So, after Zidane and the others left for Terra, Kuja followed them in his ship, right?" Lani asked.
Mikoto nodded. "Yes. The Invincible. Once he arrived on Terra, he waited until Zidane and his comrades defeated Garland. Then Kuja fought them, resulting in him receiving the power of trance."
"Trance is the same thing that happened to Zidane and Kuja when we fought the dragon thing, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
"Looks like something I'd want."
Mr. 288 was looking over the progress being made by the other Black Mages. They had been working for the past hour and had created more than one thousand mist capsules. A few more hours and the Black Mages wouldn't need to worry about coming here again for a long, long time. By now, every Black Mage present had taken a capsule. The pills they were making now were surplus.
Kuja had drawn more than thirty rejuvenation circles. He looked on, making sure the Black Mages were doing everything right, using their spells in the right place and storing the capsules. He didn't want a repeat of earlier. The only problem left was getting the capsules back to the village, but some of the Black Mages had gone back to Conde Petie to buy some coolers to keep the mist capsules cold. They were made of ice after all.
"Kuja," said Mr.288, "We appreciate what you've done for us today, but one thing still bothers me."
"What is it?" Kuja asked still looking on at the progress being made.
"These capsules will prolong our lives, but we still can not reproduce. And as you said, we are not immortal. One day, there will be no more Black Mages."
Kuja glanced at Mr. 288. "So you want a way to have children. Is that it?"
"In a manner a speaking yes."
Kuja stood in thought for a minute. After a little bit his head snapped up and snapped his fingers. "There's a book back at the Desert Palace. If I can get it, I might be able to find a way help you."
"We would appreciate that Kuja."
"But I don't feel like doing it alone, so I'll take Zidane and Lani with me. Alright?"
"Very well."
Mr. 288 turned back to assist the other Black Mages wherever he could. Kuja walked over to the three fighters relaxing on the small patch of grass. Zidane was lying on his back, obviously asleep. Mikoto and Lani were still talking to each other. Kuja gave Zidane a quick, but gentle, kick to the side. He roused, not in too deep a sleep. "Everyone listen up." Kuja said. "We need to plan what to do now."
Zidane gave a yawn, stretched and stood up. Mikoto and Lani stopped talking and looked at him, still sitting.
"Mr. 288 pointed something out to me and I need to get something from the Desert Palace. A book which gives details about how to create more Black Mages."
"Why do you need that?" Zidane asked.
"If they can't reproduce, then they will eventually die out. These capsules don't give them immortality."
"Can't you make them the way you did last time?" Lani asked, glad that Mikoto took the time to explain everything to her.
"No. I used the dregs of soul found in the mist in the Iifa Tree to do that, but because the mist has changed, I can't use the same technique. I'll need to find a different way to do it and the only place that could have that information would be either the Desert Palace or Oeilvert, and I don't fell like going to another continent without a ship."
"Alright." Mikoto stood up with a small grin, happy she'd be able to go on another adventure with her brothers. "When do we leave?"
"We leave later tonight when everything is packed up." Kuja said, putting the emphasis on 'we'. "You, Mikoto, will go back with the Black Mages and watch over the Genomes like you have been."
Mikoto stood with a slightly saddened expression. She bit the tip of her lower jaw. "You mean I can't go?" she said on the verge of crying.
"No. It's safer for you to go back to the village. Besides, I'm sure the Genomes miss you terribly."
Mikoto calmly turned to her other brother. "Zidane? You'll let me go right?"
Zidane just crossed his arms and looked at his feet. He took a breath and said, "Sorry Mikoto, but Kuja's right. If you go back you will be safer."
"But you saw how I handled myself out there. I can fight as well as you guys."
"There's also the Genomes to consider Mikoto. They're like children and they need a leader. I'll bet they're pretty comfortable with you as their leader."
"I don't believe this!" Mikoto protested. "Lani?" she said turning to her new friend.
Lani put her hands up defensively in front of her. "Hey, hey. Don't get me involved."
Mikoto stood still for a moment, feeling betrayed by everyone, then put on her usual stern expression and calmly walked away from the group. Zidane could see a tear running down her cheek.
"I feel bad for her" Zidane said.
"It's better for the Genomes Zidane." Kuja said. "Like you said, they're like children. They need someone like Mikoto."
"Perhaps I can help." came a voice from behind. They turned and saw Mr. 386 standing behind them. "Mikoto has asked me to help with the Genomes' readjusting to life here and I believe they are quite familiar with me. I believe that they will be able to cope without Mikoto for a while."
"This trip could take months." Kuja said.
"The Genomes will be just fine. I promise."
"There's still the matter of her safety."
"Quite the caring brother, aren't you?" Kuja crossed his arms and fell back into himself. Mr. 386 gave a small chuckle. "I wouldn't worry about her too much. From what I saw in the battle, she was doing even better than you Kuja."
"Observational bias, perhaps?" he grinned.
"Perhaps, but I'm sure she'll be fine. She's an excellent fighter if you let her be."
Kuja nodded in understanding and turned to Zidane and Lani. "Well, what do you think?"
"I'm all for it." Zidane said. "I'll keep a close eye on her to make sure she makes it out of the battles in one piece."
Kuja turned to Lani. "What about you, Lani?" he asked politely.
She put her hands on her hips. "Actually, she's the only one of this whole lot that I can really stand."
"It's decided then."
Hours later.
By the end of the day the sky was covered in an orange hue. The Black Mages had created more than ten thousand capsules. There were more than what they could carry in the coolers that finally arrived. Some of the capsules were carried on top of the coolers. If they were fast, the Black Mages could make it back to the village before they melted. Just to be safe, they would cast Blizzard on them every now and then until they could put them in cold storage in the village.
Zidane, Kuja and Lani stood off to one side as the Black Mages gathered everything they needed for the long walk home. Zidane saw Mikoto helping the Black Mages gather their things together and put on her back pack for her trip back to the Black Mage Village. Mr. 288 walked out in front of the other Black Mages.
"We wanted to thank you all again for everything you've done." he said.
"Think nothing of it." Kuja said.
"No problem." Zidane said.
Lani just nodded with a grin.
"We wish you luck with your next trip and pray for your safety." Mr. 288 said.
"Good luck on your trip as well." Kuja said. Somewhere along the line he seemed to have become the group's leader.
The Black Mages began their trip, taking extra care with the coolers holding the mist capsules. Mikoto started to leave with them too. Kuja threw Zidane a side glance.
"Mikoto! Where are you going?" Zidane yelled.
Mikoto turned to face them with a confused look.
"The Desert Palace is this way." Kuja said pointing in the other direction with his thumb. "You're going the wrong way."
Mikoto froze in place. "You mean I can-"
"I can't be the only girl stuck with these two Mikoto." Lani interrupted with a smirk. "C'mon."
Mikoto brightened up instantly. She had the biggest smile on her face that any of them had ever seen as she ran over to them.
Mr.386 had already told all the other Black Mages about Kuja's plan so none of them were surprised when she separated from the group. After a quick goodbye between Mikoto and the Black Mages, everyone was off again.
Zidane, Kuja and Lani hoisted their back packs and set off to look for a way to save the Black Mage race.
Mikoto was glad she could be with her brothers on another journey.
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Krimson- Whoo! Another great chapter. Damien, if you would.
Damien- This is getting old. Please Read and Review.
Krimson- You know what? You should be happier! How about I draw a smiley face on you with a permanent marker?\
Damien- Try it and I'll rip off your arm.
Krimson- How about a giant cookie?
Damien- END THE SKIT ALREADY!!!