"Dimensional Whiplash"
By Aleenia Rheese

Chapter Two - Reunions

Figaro Castle, Noon.

A handsome young man in a long black cloak and black armor stood, arms crossed, on the balcony attached to the left tower of Figaro Castle. His long, blond hair was tied back in a horsetail, and was blowing in the wind. Another handsome young man was standing next to him, wearing a dark grey leather jacket, a zebra-pattern, low-cut shirt that revealed his muscled chest, black pants, and black boots. He had greyish-black hair topped with an oddish cap.

"Doesn't all that black kill you two? We're in the middle of the desert!" cried a large, tanned man wearing a lilac tank top, baggy pants, and bare feet. His sandy blond hair was cropped short, and his sharp features made one realize he resembled the man in black armor. This muscled man was Sabin, the younger brother of the other blond man, King Edgar of Figaro.

The man in black leather grinned. "Well, living in the desert, I'm sure Edgar would have gotten used to it; and I'm not about to put on some other dorky get-up!"

The king smiled. "Yes, Locke. Your usual 'dorky get-up' is just fine! Ha ha ha ha!" Locke glared at his long-time friend, his grey eyes narrowed.

Sabin laughed, then, getting his own glare, said, "Actually, I bet Celes really likes it! How is she, by the way?"

Locke smiled. "My dear wife is doing great. God, though, I miss her! We just got married; I don't like to be away so long!"

Edgar patted him on the back. "Celes is a fine woman. I can't blame you," the man said. His younger - though larger - - brother laid a large hand on his 'big' brother's shoulder.

"You miss Terra, don't you?" he asked, a sad smile on his face. The question was actually more of a statement. The young King of Figaro flushed, his eyes wide.

"Are - are you kidding?! I have all the women I could possibly want!" Edgar said a little too loud. Locke turned to him, eyebrows raised. The King turned and walked away from his friend, mouth set tight.

"Eddie? I would never have guessed! Or maybe I should've," Locke said thoughtfully. "Yeah. Yeah! You usually drop trying to get a girl's attention if she just walks away... with our dear Terra ---"

"I did not! I mean, I... I...." Edgar floundered. "All right. All right! I do care about Terra. Happy now?" He turned away, crossing his arms over his chest. "We will speak nothing of this again, understand?"

Sabin and Locke exchanged worried glances. "Okay..." they said together.

Suddenly, a large shadow appeared directly over them. Locke looked up, grinning. "Hmm, I think you'll get a chance to see-" he saw Edgar's expression "-Celes! She'll be very happy to see you guys! And so will Cyan, Setzer, Relm, Strago, Shadow, and... Terra... and Mog and Gau should be here soon! Setzer agreed to pick them up!" He motioned for them to follow him as he ran back into the palace.

As the airship landed, Edgar, Sabin, and Locke ran out to meet them. The door opened, the ramp slid down and... to King Edgar, the most beautiful and extraordinary woman in the world appeared.
Terra stood at the top of the ramp, smiling her beautiful smile down at him. He smiled back, blue eyes shinning. Terra walked down the ramp, followed by a grinning fourteen-year-old.

"Hey, Pretty Boy!" Relm cried, running ahead of Terra. The child threw her arms around Edgar, hugging him. Then she did the same to Sabin and Locke.

When Edgar became un-tangled from Relm, he walked forward regally, and embraced Terra. She hugged him back, then pulled away. "Boy, you haven't changed a bit! And it's been a whole year!" She smiled at him.

"And you, my dear Terra, also haven't changed a bit! You are still as lovely as ever." He bowed low, hand over his heart.

"Hmmm, still the sweet-talker, eh, Edgar?" came a sweet voice from behind Terra.

"Celes! You look as lovely as the day we met!" the King replied.

Setzer appeared and grinned. "Careful, Treasure Hunter! If you aren't, His Great Majesty just might steal your wife!" he said with a smile.

"Don't bet on it!" Celes said. "I like His Great Majesty, but as a friend! I'm happy with my husband." Even as she spoke, Locke came up and wrapped his arm around his new wife. Edgar shook hands with the man known as The Wandering Gambler, and Cyan. Shadow shook hands with Edgar as well.

Sabin frowned. "No one mentioned Umaro or Gogo."

Terra smiled. "Even if we could find them, I doubt they'd come. I'm rather surprised Shadow came!" She smiled at the ninja's back.

When all the greetings were over, the party entered the castle, and Setzer and Relm went to pick up Mog, and then Gau.