Final Fantasy Dimensions
Chapter 4: Jenovecia
by ArchFaith (formerly known as the ArchPrincess of Saturn)
Deep blue ocean. Sparkling waves with white caps drifting over them. Calm, peaceful, full of bliss. The Highwind noisily hurtled toward Goblin Island. "You guys," Barret began, "once we get there, what are we gonna do to Jenovecia?"
Nobody answered him. No one knew how to answer him. They were all thinking exactly the same thing.
Squall stood out on the bridge with Rinoa. "She's powerful," he whispered.
"Yeah," Rinoa agreed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "But we can still take her on."
"I hope so," Squall replied. "I wonder what everyone's doing at home?"
Rinoa smiled. "Probably wondering what we're doing." She gave him a long kiss.
Unbeknownst to them, Laguna watched in the shadows. They're a perfect couple, he thought. Just like Raine and I...Squall, I wish I could've been there to see your birth. But I'll definitely be there to see my grandchildren's births. Laguna chuckled and walked away.
Cloud and Tifa were in the cargo deck. "Pretty nervous huh?" Cloud questioned, looking over at the pacing Tifa.
"Aren't you?" she asked, stopping.
"Very," Cloud answered.
Tifa sat down on a crate next to Cloud. "Let's make each other a promise," she said.
"What kinda promise?"
"Remember the promise we made in Nibelheim seven years ago?"
"Yeah...oh I get it," Cloud grinned. "Tifa, I'll always protect you, no matter what happens. I'll be your knight."
Tifa smiled. "I'm changing the rules a little, Cloud. I'll always be protecting you as well. I will be your knight."
"We'll be protecting each other," Cloud mused, "we'll be each other's knights..." He and Tifa engaged in a kiss.
A pair of eyes watched from a corner. They go well together, Barret thought. Myrna and I used to be like that. I swore I'd always protect her...but I couldn't keep my promsie... Barret quickly turned away. I wonder how Marlene's doing?
Selphie and Irvine were admiring the chocobo in the ChocoRoom. "He's adorable!" Selphie exclaimed.
"Adorable? How about me?" Irvine asked.
"Silly Irvy, you're the most handsome of all!" Selphie replied as she kissed him on the cheek.
They didn't notice a gray object hiding behind the nest. I gotta admit, that annoying little girl and that cocky cowboy go good together, Seifer thought. I wonder if anyone thinks Ellone and I go together? Not Squall. I wonder what Elle's doing right now. Maybe she's thinking of me...
Yuffie and Vincent were on the helm. "So spill Vince, why'd ya come back to Wutai with me?" Yuffie wanted to know.
Vincent sighed. "You want to know the truth, Yuffie? Maybe it's because I grew attached to you."
"Attached? To me?" Yuffie gasped. "Whoa. Um, I kinda like you too, Vince."
"Yeah."
"I really mean it,"Yuffie insisted.
Vincent stared into her eyes. They had a certain glow that reminded him of Lucrecia. But he said nothing.
Man, those two should go for it! Cait Sith quietly urged from behind a box. I hope Vincent's still not thinking about Lucrecia. Dosen't he know Yuffie has a major crush on him?
Zell and Quistis were in the resting quarters. "So how's it going?" Zell asked.
"Pretty tough. But we'll get through it," Quistis replied.
Zell smiled.
What the #! That's it? I expected a good show! an outraged Cid thought from behind the door. Guess we'll just have to wait for these two.
Sephiroth sat in the meeting room. Aeris entered and sat next to him. "Sephiroth, I was just thinking..." Aeris began. "If-I mean, when-we defeat Jenovecia, what will you do then? Will you stay alive or return to the Lifestream?"
Sephiroth looked at her strangely. "It depends. I would like to remain living, but what will everyone think of me? Some lunatic who tried to destroy the world comes back and wants to be forgiven?"
Aeris looked thoughtful. "That's true," she finally said. "But think about it. Sephiroth, if you had never attempted to do what you did, Shinra would still be sucking the life out of the Planet! Without you, Cloud would still be a lowly soldier, Tifa would have never left Nibelheim, Red would still be trapped...and no one would realize how important life is. Isn't that something?"
"I...never thought of it that way," Sephiroth replied. "I guess it's something, but...only to a person with insight as deep as yours. That'll be hard to find."
They stared into each other's emerald green eyes.
A strange thought, Red XIII thought from under the table. It does make weird sense, though. And I would still be trapped...Hey...when are we getting to Goblin Island? This is taking forever! What is Jenovecia doing? Hmmmm...I think I'm the only one on this ship who cares right now.
He was right. He was.
-
"Goblin Island off the port bow!" one of the first mates yelled. AVALeeD gathered on the bridge to view the approaching body of land. The island was covered by a dense forest. Through the thick green treetops arose an purplish mist.
"She's there," Squall muttered.
The Highwind landed on the beach. Everyone marched off and clustered on the shore. "She's probably expecting us," Rinoa said.
"Probably already knows we're here," Laguna added.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Cloud yelled. AVALeeD nodded and together they walked into the jungle.
-
STUPID MORTALS. WHO DO THEY THINK THEY'RE DEALING WITH? THEY THINK THEY CAN DEFEAT I, THE GREAT JENOVECIA? PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE THE GOBLINS TAKE CARE OF THEM...NO. I'LL FINISH THEM MYSELF. HAHAHAHAHAHA, I LIKE THIS LITTLE GAME WE PLAY. I AM THE CAT, AND THEY ARE THE MICE.
-
The forest was lush and thick, sparkling dew dripping on thin green leaves. It was full of enemies-goblins. The little creatures were tough to beat, but AVALeeD triumphed every time. They walked through the forest for a very long time.
"Could we stop? I'm tired!" Tifa complained, sitting down.
"How long's it gonna take to find that bitch?" Barret asked irritably.
"Does anyone have any food?" Yuffie inquired.
"I think we should make camp here," Irvine suggested.
"Sounds like a great idea!" Selphie agreed, stretching.
Seifer looked up at the sky. "It is getting dark," he observed.
"So could we stop now?" Zell pleaded.
"Fine," Cloud replied neutrally.
"Whatever," Squall answered.
AVALeeD set up six small tents, three people to each. A campfire was built and the provisions were shared. It was agreed that each tent would have to be on watch for one hour. Vincent, Sephiroth, and Red XIII were first.
They all sat around the campfire, waiting for nothing. Vincent unconsiously rubbed his hands together, feeling the metal claw. Sephiroth, green eyes dully flashing, sat next to him. Red XIII lay motionless, in a hunting position.
...eep.
"What was that?" Sephiroth shouted, leaping up. Vincent and Red XIII got their weapons ready. They all waited a couple of minutes. Silence.
"Nothing," Vincent concluded.
"This is starting to get to us," Red XIII stated. "We're jumpier than usual."
Sephiroth sighed in a way that reminded Vincent of Lucrecia. "Isn't it time for the next tent to be on watch?"
"Yep," a voice said. Quistis, Rinoa, and Selphie stood behind them. "You boys should get some rest," Quistis advised. Sephiroth, Vincent, and Red XIII retreated into their tent.
The girls kept watch. Nothing.
The whole night was uneventful. All five shifts reported peaceful silence and the occaisional snore. "Man, we should be getting some sleep," Laguna complained, sitting back.
"Don't worry, Laguna, it'll be morning soon," Cait Sith yawned.
A noise made Seifer jump. He looked around the camp. "Did you hear that?" he asked.
"Hear what?" Laguna asked.
"Did ya hear Jenovecia?" Cait Sith added.
"Shh. Listen," Seifer whispered, raising his hand.
Everyone was completely quiet. After a few minutes, Seifer lowered his hand. "It was nothing."
Laguna looked at his watch. "Our shift's over. Let's get some sleep."
They got up and started into their tent.
"IDIOTS...TO LET DOWN YOUR DEFENSES..."
Seifer twirled around, drew his gunblade, and slashed at the sorceress who had materialized behind them. "You!" he cried fiercely. "Everyone wake up!"he yelled loudly.
"The middle of the night...what the heck...Jenovecia!" Cid cried, scurrying out of his tent.
Soon all of AVALeeD was up. Jenovecia waited patiently while they scrambled into battle postition. "THIS IS VERY ENTERTAINING," she muttered, raising her hand. "DOWNSIZE TYPHOON!"
"Lemme me guess," Red XIII began, "you've cast a spell on us so we can only use weak attacks."
"YOU'RE CATCHING ON," Jenovecia replied.
Selphie checked herself. "You guys, we can use our weaker limit breaks and summons!"
"SUMMONS?" Jenovecia asked, a sliver of fear in her voice. "WELL, YES, I...I MADE IT THAT WAY SO THIS BATTLE COULD BE MORE FUN."
She wasn't counting on that little side effect, Aeris told Sephiroth.
The battle rows were the same as before. Cloud stepped up. "Choco/Mog Deathblow!" he yelled, disappearing. The big yellow bird with the tiny pink animal on its back rushed up to Jenovecia and crashed into her. One point of damage.
"ONE POINT? EVEN WITH YOUR SUMMON MONSTERS AND GUARDIAN FORCES, YOU ARE STILL WEAK," Jenovecia said viciously.
"We'll see!" Tifa yelled. "Shiva Diamond Dust One!" The icy maiden hurled her snowflakes at Jenovecia. One point of damage.
"Quetzalcoatl Thunder Storm!" Irvine commanded.
"Shiva Diamond Dust Two!" Squall ordered.
"Ifrit Hell Fire Two!" Rinoa summoned.
"Ifrit Hellfire One!" Vincent yelled.
Each attack did one point of damage. Jenovecia yawned and raised her tentacle. "BLACK SEA CRUSH!"
Black water came pouring out of a portal, knocking the first row out. The third row couldn't revive them this time; it was too risky to be so close to the enemey.
Sephiroth looked at Aeris. They would never make it. He sighed, then yelled, "Ramuh Judgment Bolt!"
One.
"Titan Anger of the Land!" Aeris shouted.
"Siren Silent Voice!" Zell screamed.
"Brothers Brotherly Love!" Seifer said.
"Diablos Dark Messenger!" Selphie commanded.
"Odin Gunge Lance!" Red XIII ordered.
"HONESTLY, MAYBE I SHOULD LET YOU DIE," Jenovecia told them. "DARK SKY RUSH!" The sky turned black, and the clouds rushed down to the ground and swirled around the second row, knocking them out of the battle.
"It's up to us," Barret whispered with fury. "Kjata Elemental Attack!"
"Bahamut Mega Flare One!" Cait Sith summoned.
"Carbuncle Ruby Light!" Quistis yelled. The Reflect magic didn't work on any of the members.
"Alexander Holy Attack!" Yuffie shouted.
"Leviathan Tsunami!" Laguna screamed.
"Neo Bahamut Giga Flare!" Cid said.
Jenovecia countered with "TWILIGHT SHADOW!" Everything turned pitch black for the third row.
"GOODBYE SWEET ONES," Jenovecia mocked, starting to disappear. "SINCE YOU'VE RUINED ALL MY PLANS FOR THIS WORLD...WAIT TILL YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING NEXT!"
-
My head...oh great, I'm having some stupid dream about Jenovecia, telling us where to find her next...like we'll ever beat her...
Don't be so negative, Yuffie.
Sorry, Vincent...well, it looks like a big city.
So many tall buildings and technology.
This place isn't in our dimension, Vince.
Than where is it?
Yuffie sat up. She was lying on a cot in the Highwind. "Huh? What happened?"
"The Highwind's crew got worried about us," a voice said. It was Tifa, who had pulled a chair up to the bunk. Yuffie noticed all the women were clustered around her.
"They searched for us in the jungle until they found us," Rinoa added.
"They brought us back to the Highwind," Quistis said.
"You're the last one to wake up! Vincent's waiting for you in the cockpit," Selphie finished.
"He is?" Yuffie asked. She began getting out of bed.
"A dream about Jenovecia?" Aeris asked neutrally.
"Aha. C'mon, let's go!"
The women rushed to the helm, where the men were standing around. "Glad to see you're up, Yuffie," Vincent greeted.
"Hey Vince, let's tell them 'bout the dream!"
They told AVALeeD about a marvelous country, filled with futuristic buildings, had flying cars whizzing around the walkways, and was spotlessly clean. Jenovecia was there, hovering over a huge palace-
"Esthar! My Esthar! I'd know it anywhere!" Laguna gasped. "Jenovecia is there? If she harms anyone or anything in my country-"
"Please calm down, Father," Squall whispered unconsiously. Oh my God, did I just call him Father? What was I thinking?
Laguna looked at him strangely. He had never heard Squall adress him like that. It was pleasing.
"We'll find Jenovecia and prevent her from harming anyone!" Irvine assured him, standing in for the flustered Squall.
"What I want to know is why. Why would Jenovecia go to the future? And how?" Cloud wondered.
"Hey..." Cid began, "I remember lying on the ground on Goblin Island with my eyes closed and hearing someone's voice saying ' Since you've ruined my plans for this world, wait till you see where I'm going next!' or something like that."
"So she went to the other dimension because she couldn't do anything here?" Barret questioned.
"That's probably the case," Red XIII replied.
"Then what're we waiting for!" Zell exclaimed.
"If we don't get back to our dimension soon, she'll trash it!" Irvine added.
"Can you whip up another portal?" Seifer asked Aeris and Sephiroth.
"I suppose," Sephiroth replied thoughtfully.
"We will," Aeris answered confidently. "In fact, we can get one right now."
"Great! Everyone get ready for departure!" Squall commanded. AVALeeD nodded. The weapons were repaired, the armor polished. Everyone was well rested and recharged. Vincent decided to contact the Turks in Junon over the Highwind's radio and tell them about the dimensional crossing. "So we'll be going into another dimension to destroy Jenovecia," he finished.
Reno's voice filtered back. "Another dimension? To get Jenovecia?"
"All we can say is be careful and take care of yourself," Elena added.
"Good luck," Rude wished quietly.
"Defeat that manipulating witch for us!" Reno finished, ending the transmission.
Cait Sith also wanted to call Wutai and inform everyone there as well.
"Yuffie, take care of yourself. I don't want my little girl to die," Godo said.
"Daddy, you're gonna come back alive, kay?" Marlene whispered.
"Cid, before you go, I just wanna tell you that I really care about you...a lot," Shera said secretively.
"Cait Sith, don't overdo it. And everyone, take care of Jenovecia for us. We know ya can do it," Reeve ended.
"Take care of the Highwind," Cid told his crew.
"Aye aye sir!" they yelled, saluting.
"Is everyone ready?" Sephiroth asked.
"Yes," AVALeeD replied. They all filed out of the hatch and onto the sandy shore of Goblin Island. Aeris raised her hands. Here we go again, she thought. She concentrated hard. Soon a swirling portal appeared. "I'll go first, Sephiroth will go last. Everyone follow behind me."
AVALeeD filed in behind Aeris. When Sephiroth stepped through, the portal vanished.
The sparkling sands of Goblin Beach revealed not a trace of its visitors except for a scrap of orange material, which washed out to sea.
-
Sunrise...
The red sun rose over Esthar. The city's buildings reflected sunlight off its material, giving the city a dreamy, idealistic look. It had been two weeks since SeeD had gone with the visitors to help out in the other dimension. Kiros and Ward had been doing an excellent job looking after the country. Today, as the life-giving star's rays cast her bright look onto the country, Ellone sat in the garden, staring into the cityscape.
"Are you worried about something, Ellone?" a voice asked her. It was Kiros, standing with Ward.
"A little," Ellone replied. "I mean, its been two weeks since they left. SeeD and visitors...Laguna, Squall, Seifer. I can't help but wonder if they're alright. What if something happened to them?"
Ward smiled and shook his head.
"I know Ward. Don't worry about it too much," Ellone sighed. She turned back to her view. Kiros and Ward shrugged and turned to go into the palace.
HMMM. SO THESE ARE THE PEOPLE I WILL CONTROL IN THIS DIMENSION, the sorceress thougt. She was at the moment, perched on top of the Presidential Palace, using a spell to make her undetected. THE GIRL SEEMS TO HAVE A PARTICULAR LIKING TO SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF AVALEED. AND THE OTHER TWO...STRONG LEADERS, THE PEOPLE WILL LISTEN TO THEM...PERFECT. LIKE A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER.
She hopped off her perch and landed right next to Ellone. Ellone sat calmly, unaware of what evil was around her. MIND TWISTER, Jenovecia thought, holding out her hand. A dark pink cloud formed around Ellone's head and dissolved into her mind. Jenovecia's dark magic was working.
"Ohhhh," Ellone moaned, getting up shakily. "K-Kiros, Ward, I don't feel too-"
She collapsed onto the floor. The advisors turned around.
"Ellone!" Kiros exclaimed. He and Ward rushed to her. "Are you alright? Are you in a lot of pain?" Kiros asked, propping her up.
NOW FOR THESE TWO, Jenovecia chuckled. She cast her spell and magic worked. "Ow," Kiros said, feeling his head. Ward's head hurt as well.
Ellone's eyes fluttered open. "I feel just fine," she said, getting up. "How are you, gentlemen?"
"I feel different. I feel...like I could take on the world," Kiros said evilly, rising.
Ward got up and grinned. He gestured to Kiros.
"Great idea Ward!" Kiros agreed, then turned to Ellone. "Ellone, Ward and I think it would be a good idea to give the Presidency to you, seeing as though Laguna isn't back yet."
"To me?" Ellone asked. "President Ellone. Has a nice ring to it." She walked over to the balcony. "Gentlemen, it seems as though we've all suddenly been changed. For the better, of course." She walked back into the building, Kiros and Ward following after her.
Jenovecia stayed behind. MY PLAN WORKED! LET'S SEE WHAT AVALEED CAN DO ABOUT THIS. She slowly follwed them into the palace.
To be continued...
Notes: Looking back on this, I realize the coupling scenes at the beginning were really bad! But I can't think of anything else to put there, so I'm leaving it. Stay tuned for Chapter 5!
