Note: Just so everyone won't be confused, in the first part of this chapter, Cid Kramer from FF8 will be referred to as Headmaster Cid or the Headmaster. Cid from FF7 will be referred to as plain Cid.
Final Fantasy Dimensions
Chapter 5: Winner Take All
by ArchFaith (formerly known as the ArchPrincess of Saturn)
"Ahhh...time for a little relaxation."
Headmaster Cid sat lazily in the Quad at Balamb Garden, munching on a hot dog. It had been his first chance to relax in a long time. As soon as he had gotten back from Esthar, witnessing the SeeDs' dimensional departure, he had been bombarded with problems. First he had to take care of Edea, who had developed a high fever while working on the orphanage. Then the Garden's electricity had short circuited. Then the cafeteria ladies had run out of meat to make hot dogs, a great tragedy. But the Headmaster had managed to pull through.
"Cid?" a gentle voice greeted. It was Edea. She was wearing her old sorceress dress with the plunging neckline and feather plumes, minus the extravagant make-up and elaborate head and back piece.
"Feeling better?" Headmaster Cid asked, turning to look at her.
"Yes, thanks to you, dear," Edea replied, giving her husband a kiss on the cheek. "Now it's your turn to relax. You've been through a lot these last few weeks."
The Headmaster sighed. "Seems like one thing breaks down after another."
Edea giggled like a child. She sat down next to him and they both looked up at the blue sky. "I wonder how the SeeDs are doing," she said thoughtfully, suddenly turning serious. "Do you think they're okay?"
"They are," Headmaster Cid assured her. "They are strong."
The wind calmly breezed around the Quad.
Wwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooossssssssssssshhhhhhhhhh.
"What's that!" the Headmaster asked, leaping up in surprise. A blinding light appeared before them. It flashed and quivered, then hung calmly while people started coming out. First came a girl in a pink dress, whom Headmaster Cid recognized as one of the Visitors from another dimension. More people came out, eighteen in all. The Headmaster and Edea recognized some of the people, but the rest were strange-looking. As soon as the last person walked out, the portal folded and disappeared.
AVALeeD looked around. "We're home," Quistis whispered in relief.
"We're at Garden!" Zell yelled joyfully.
"Headmaster Cid! Matron!" Selphie cried, running toward them, Irvine at her heels.
"Is everything alright here? Is anything wrong?" Squall demanded.
"Esthar! We have to know about Esthar!" Laguna cried.
"Interesting," Red XIII commented, looking around the Quad.
"Nice architecture," Aeris added.
Half of AVALeeD analyzed their new surroundings, and the other half rushed to the Headmaster and Edea. "Children, I'm so glad you're alright!" Edea said, hugging Selphie and Irvine at the same time.
"Was your mission accomplished?" Headmaster Cid asked.
Rinoa shook her head. "Far from it, sir."
"The evil that threatened their world has now moved to ours," Irvine said.
Edea frowned. "You must explain it to us. But...who are those people?" she asked, looking at the rest of AVALeeD.
"They're part of our team," Seifer answered.
"Team?" the Headmaster questioned.
"I hate to interrupt, but can we find out about Esthar!" Laguna demanded.
"President Loire, welcome!" Edea greeted. "Esthar? Why it's fine! The whole world has been peaceful."
"Not for long!" Zell shot back. "Jenovecia's on the loose!"
"Jenovecia?" the Headmaster asked. "My head is beginning to spin? Who is Jenovecia? Who are these people? What have you accomplished in the other world?"
"Hey, is that hot dogs I smell?" Yuffie sniffed the air.
"Man, I could sure go for some of those," Cait Sith longingly rubbed his stomach.
Quistis sighed. "Headmaster, it's a long story. Maybe you'd better sit down."
-
5 hours later...
"Then Aeris formed a portal and transported us back to Balamb, which brings us to now," Selphie finished. Everyone had taken turns telling the story to Headmaster Cid and Edea. AVALeeD sat in the Headmaster's office. Everyone had introduced themselves to each other.
"So let me get this straight," Edea began. "This sorceress, Jenovecia, wants to take over our world?"
"Right," Irvine answered.
"We had a clue that she was going to a place called Esthar, which happens to be Laguna's country," Cloud said, looking over at the nervous man who sat on the edge of his seat. Despite everyone's assurances, Laguna was still very worried about Esthar.
"Esthar? Well, nothing's happened there yet. Perhaps it was a trick?" Headmaster Cid suggested.
Sephiroth shook his head. "It couldn't have been, sir. Our dreams are always right."
"So she strikes at Esthar," Edea said thoughtfully. She then noticed how tired AVALeeD appeared to be. "My! You all must be exhausted! Enough of this! Everyone should go get some rest in the dorms downstairs."
AVALeeD shakily stood. They exited through the elevator.
The Headmaster looked at his wife. She looked back at him. Not a word.
-
AVALeeD tossed and turned a dreamless night. Jenovecia had already left some bait on the line for them. Esthar, Esthar, Laguna thought in his sleep. I won't let you die...
Everyone rose at about the same time, 8 o'clock. They went to the cafeteria and had breakfast. Some the Garden students were already awake. They looked over the odd collection of characters who had suddenly shown up in their school. They knew the SeeDs, Seifer, and Laguna, but the others were something strange and exotic.
"AVALeeD," a solemn voice said. The team looked up. Headmaster Cid and Edea stood at the end of the table.
"There was a television broadcast received very early this morning," Edea informed them. "It originated from Esthar." Laguna's eyes grew wide.
"President Loire, AVALeeD, please come up to my office to see the transmission," the Headmaster said.
Laguna excitedly headed up to the office, while the rest of AVALeeD took their time, knowing full well what would happen. When everyone was assembled, Headmaster Cid rolled the tape.
It was a transmission from the Esthar Presidential Palace. Ellone stood behind a podium, Kiros and Ward on either side of her. "Attention world," she began. "I, Ellone Loire, wish to inform all citizens of this planet of my dear guardian's, President Loire's, death."
"What!" Laguna exclaimed. "I'm not dead!"
"Listen, Laguna," Squall replied.
"He died in the other dimension, while trying to save an alien world. He will always be remembered for his bravery and courage in the hearts of his people. Though this is a very sad event, it must be taken in stride. For my guardian's death brings forth a new world!"
"What's she talking about?" Tifa wondered. "When I met her in Esthar, she didn't seem like this at all." Laguna watched with pained eyes.
"I take the responsibility of governing Esthar into my hands! I declare myself the new ruler of Esthar, President Ellone, with my advisors, Seagill and Zaback!"
"Hey, I thought that in a democracy, people have to vote for a new leader," Barret said.
"Esthar...is a democracy," Laguna answered. He suddenly had an awful premonition. "NO! She can't just do that!"
"Furthermore," Ellone continued, "I would like to take to take this oppurtunity to inform the world that we are declaring war against the nations of Balamb, Galbadia, Trabia, Centra, and any other country or city that exists outside of Esthar!"
AVALeeD gasped.
"Esthar will rule this entire planet! We will conquer all nations and meld them into one Esthar! With our advanced weapons and technology, we will crush all nations' armies! Now begins the reign of Ellone...the reign of Jeno-"
At that moment, the transmission was cut short. "She speaks like one possessed," Vincent commented, bewildered.
"Possessed? Possessed! Ellone, why? Kiros, Ward, how could you allow this? I'm not dead...oh God, please tell me I'm not dead!" Laguna wailed deliriously, dropping to his knees.
"Sir, everything will be alright!" Squall cried in a burst of emotion, kneeling next to his father and embracing him. Embracing him...he had seemingly grown close to Laguna over the course of the mission. "I-I'm sorry," Squall whispered, apologizing for a crime that was not his.
Laguna swallowed his tears and hugged back, saying nothing. It was the first time he had ever given his son a hug.
"Guys," Squall adressed AVALeeD, looking up. "We need to get to Esthar as quickly as possible. Where's the Ragnarok?"
"At FH," Rinoa answered.
"Headmaster, please tell Nida to pilot the Garden to FH as soon as possible," Squall told Headmaster Cid.
"Of course," the Headmaster replied.
"We should start getting ready, shouldn't we?" Cid asked.
"Don't even bother asking," Cloud snapped. "C'mon, let's go!" AVALeeD hurried downstairs. Edea and Squall helped Laguna down to the dorm.
-
"Poor Laguna," Tifa said. AVALeeD had gathered in the library, awaiting the arrival of Garden at FH. Laguna and Squall were missing from the group. "He has just lost his whole country. To Jenovecia controlling his child's mind."
"Damn her!" Cloud exclaimed, clicking his materia into the Ultima Weapon. "She's just like a cockroach. Keep killing it, and it keeps coming back."
"It would be more accurate to compare her to a Phoenix," Sephiroth replied. "She keeps rising. As long at there's something for her to feed off of, she lives."
"We have to get her for sure this time," Aeris added. "Two dimensions hang in the balance."
"We've been through way too much to turn back now!" Yuffie cried spunkily.
AVALeeD smiled at each other with half-hope in their eyes. "Hey!" a familiar voice greeted. Laguna stood at the library entrance, Squall next to him.
"Laguna!" Red XIII exclaimed. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine! Why wouldn't I be?" Laguna answered cockily. He gave Squall a quick wink which everyone else missed. "So, we're headed to Esthar? Let's give that Jenoveciabitch a good whipping!"
AVALeeD cheered at their teammate's confidence.
"Almost thought we'd lose ya for a moment," Cid commented, patting Laguna on the back.
"Me? Never! I'll see this thing through to the end."
Pum, pum, pum. "Attention AVALeeD," Xu said through the loudspeaker. "Be prepared to land at FH in two minutes."
In two minutes, the Garden dropped anchor at FH. Edea, Headmaster Cid, Nida, and Xu met AVALeeD at the door. "Good luck," Edea wished them.
"We'll be back in a few days, Matron," Quistis replied. AVALeeD exited Garden and entered the tiny fishing village.
"It'll take a while to boot up the Ragnarok," Selphie explained.
"In that case, I'll visit my posse," Seifer replied, heading off to a little shack by the harbor. He opened the door and stepped inside. "Hey goofballs," he greeted.
Fujin sat in a corner, mending a fishing net. Raijin was fixing a broken tackle. "SEIFER!" Fujin greeted, rising.
"Hey Seifer, long time no see, ya know?" Raijin said, getting up.
"Hey guys! It's good to see you again," Seifer answered. He had to admit, he missed his two best friends.
"HEARD ABOUT ELLONE?" Fujin asked.
"Yeah," Seifer replied, looking down at the ground.
"Seifer...we're sorry, ya know?" Raijin said apologetically.
"It's okay...hey, I can't stay long! I gotta get back to the team!"
"TEAM?" Fujin looked out the window and saw AVALeeD standing by the Ragnorok. "LARGE."
"Yeah, I gotta take care of a lotta people," Seifer told them.
The posse all walked out to the mayor's house. Selphie had managed to boot up the system. "Everything's okay! Climb in, everyone!" she yelled.
"See ya later," Seifer whispered, boarding the Ragnarok.
"LUCK," Fujin wished him.
"Good luck, ya know?" Raijin added.
I...I'll see you again, after we get Jenovecia, Seifer thought. But...will we be able to get her? What about Ellone? Esthar, the world...damn it! I don't have time to think about this!
The Ragnarok hurtled toward Esthar. "Whoa, smooth flight!" Cid complimented. "You weren't kidding when you said your ship was good!"
"It's good, but will it get to Esthar safely?" Cait Sith questioned.
"We'll just have to wait and see!" Irvine replied.
The Ragnarok flew quickly toward Esthar. At the edge of the continent, Zell checked the readings. "We're in Esthar's cloak now. Their radar should have detected us."
"We'd better get the torpedoes ready," Quistis said. She pushed several buttons. The Ragnarok rushed on for several more minutes. Nothing attacked.
"This has to be some kind of trick," Rinoa began. "I bet they want us to land."
"If that's the case, I guess we'll take a chance!" Selphie answered. The ship landed the Esthar Airstation. AVALeeD exited.
"Wow! It looks just like my dream! Cool!" Yuffie exclaimed as she gazed around at all the buildings and technology.
"In all my dreams, I never thought I'd see a place like this," Vincent whispered.
"Hey...something's wrong here," Tifa commented. She looked around the city. "Where are all the people?"
She was right. Everyone was gone. A wind blew a scrap of paper across the street, unusual for an immaculately clean country. "I think I get it...she's allowing us to go to her. Jenovecia. She thinks this whole thing is a kind of joke, and she'll always win," Cloud said grimly.
"She won't," Sephiroth replied. "She's been spoiled too much. Laguna, please show us the way to the Presidential Palace."
Laguna nodded determinedly. He walked up the street, AVALeeD following behind him.
Half of AVALeeD gazed at the wonders, their jaws dropping to the floor. "Dang! Shinra could never make this kinda stuff!" Barret commented, stopping to kick a broken transporter. "Bet those SOBs would kill for this."
"All the more reason that this place should be left in peace," Aeris replied. The Palace was only a short walk away. AVALeeD hopped into the transporter and hurtled into the palace. They stopped outside the President's office.
"Maybe...maybe we can convince Ellone and Kiros and Ward that what they're doing is wrong," Laguna suggested hopefully. "Then we won't have to fight them..."
"We can't convince them. We have to drive Jenovecia out of them and destroy her," Cloud replied.
"Don't worry. I don't think she or Kiros or Ward will be hurt," Rinoa said, trying to soothe Laguna's fear. It didn't seem to be working.
Everyone stood in silence for awhile.
"Well, we might as well get this over with," Red XIII whispered. AVALeeD nodded. They flung open the doors to the chamber.
Ellone sat behind the desk, Kiros and Ward on either side of her. She smiled as AVALeeD came in. "Welcome," she greeted mockingly. "Laguna? I thought you were dead...ah well, it dosen't matter. Too late."
"We have declared war against the planet," Kiros began.
Ward motioned with his hands. Kiros translated. "You know our armies will crush you."
"Shut up!" Laguna commanded. "Ellone, Kiros, Ward, this isn't you that's talking! It's a sorceress named Jenovecia! She's using you!"
Squall took a step forward. "Jenovecia, you coward! Hiding behind people's backs! Show yourself! We will fight you."
A great rumbling noise arose from beneath the floor. The tiles cracked open and Jenovecia rose. She looked as menacing as ever. Ellone and the advisiors gasped. "What is that thing!" Ellone questioned fearfully.
"I AM THE THING THAT MOTIVATED YOU, CHILD," Jenovecia answered gleefully.
"Ellone, Kiros, Ward, get outta here!" We'll handle this!" Zell commanded. They nodded and dashed out the door.
"SO, YOU ARE DETERMINED ENOUGH TO FOLLOW ME TO THIS DIMENSION," Jenovecia reflected. "I'LL FINISH YOU NOW! I'M TIRED OF YOU SPOILING MY PLANS!" She raised her tentacles. "DARK WINTER'S DEATH!"
"Lemme guess," Seifer wondered. "You making our attacks and summons weak, right?"
"You're getting so unoriginal," Cid returned. "Can't you come up with anything better?" Jenovecia scowled.
"Guys! We can use our powerful summons!" Quistis shouted, making a disocovery.
"You're magic is getting weaker, Jenovecia," Irvine laughed.
"WE'LL SEE," Jenovecia snapped weakly.
The rows were the same as before: in the first row were Cloud, Tifa, Irvine, Squall, Rinoa, and Vincent; in the second row were Sephiroth, Aeris, Zell, Seifer, Selphie, and Red XIII; in the third row was Barret, Cait Sith, Quistis, Yuffie, Laguna, and Cid.
Cloud took a deep breath and stepped forward. This had better work, he thought. "Knights of the Round, I summon you!" he yelled, disappearing. The 13 knights emerged from the void and pummeled Jenovecia. Each hit did 9999 damage.
"WHAT!" Jenovecia exclaimed. "THIS CAN'T BE!"
Tifa grinned as Cloud reappeared. "We'll get her for sure," she told him. "Typhoon Sneeze Attack!"
The maniacal little creature blew wind on the sorceress, causing 9999 damage.
Irvine smiled. "Eden Eternal Breath!" Eden's attack did 40,000 damage!
"Tonberry Chef's Knife!" Squall commanded.
"Cactuar 1,000 Needles!" Rinoa yelled.
Each attack was extremely powerful, yet Jenovecia still lived. "UGH...DARK HARP MELODY!" she groaned. A song overpowered the first row, knocking them out.
History is repeating itself, Sephiroth thought to Aeris.
If we're lucky, we can knock her down before she gets the third row, Aeris answered.
"Bahamut Zero Terra Flare!" Sephiroth commanded.
"Hades!" Aeris yelled.
"Bahamut Mega Flare Two!" Zell shouted.
"Doomtrain Runaway Train!" Seifer cried.
"Alexander Holy Judgment!" Selphie summoned.
"Phoenix One!" Red XIII said.
Each attack did 9999 damage. "DAMN YOU!" Jenovecia cried. "ZERO WORLD TUNNEL!" loud cries emerged from the tunnel that materialized, leaving the second row immobilized.
"Guys," Zell whispered. "We've weakened her enough so you can get her."
"We will!" Barret answered. He stepped forward. "Leviathan Water Attack!"
"Leviathan Water Attack!" Cait Sith yelled.
"Pandemona Tornado Zone!" Quistis cried.
"Neo Bahaumut Giga Flare!" Yuffie squealed.
"Leviathan Tsunami!" Laguna shouted.
"Alexander Holy Attack!" Cid summoned.
Jenovecia slumped over. One more hit and she would've died. But she wasn't dead. She gathered her strength and said, "DARK HELL WHISPERS."
Blackness.
-
Show yourself, sorceress. You can't hide forever. If you're as powerful as you say you are, come! Defeat us! What's holding you back?
You shouldn't have kept us alive for your entertainment, Jenovecia. Your love of abuse will be your downfall. Where have you gone off to now?
KEEP AWAY FROM ME...! YOU'LL NEVER DEFEAT ME! EVEN IF THE FIGHTING GOES ON FOR ETERNITY, I WILL PREVAIL! I, THE GREATEST SORCERESS OF ALL TIME, JENOVECIA, WILL RULE THE DIMENSIONS! I WILL-
Shut up. No one's listening.
-
"I'm sorry," Ellone admitted.
"We should've controlled ourselves," Kiros added.
Ward frowned.
"It's okay," Laguna replied. "None of us blame you." Ellone, Kiros, and Ward had rushed in after Jenovecia had left. They had revived AVALeeD and cured them. AVALeeD stood around in the Presidential Chamber.
"I'm gonna have to call back this declaration of war, but it'll have to wait," Laguna said. "We have to get Jenvecia first."
"Say, do we know where she's going?" Cait Sith asked.
"Two of us will probably have a dream about it tonight," Zell answered.
"Dammit!" Cloud cried, slamming his hand on the desk. "I'm so damn tired of this! Let's defeat her now!"
"But how? We don't know where she is," Quistis replied.
"Maybe if we follow our hearts, we'll know where she's hiding," Aeris said thoughtfully. AVALeeD looked at her.
"She's right," Yuffie reflected.
"Maybe if we all concentrate, we can see where she is," Sephiroth suggested.
They all started focusing their thoughts on the sorceress. Her hideous face, her twisted ambition. Where? Where...
A bright light emanated from the tops of the teams heads. Light airy wings fluttered and flapped at their sides. The team began to hover. Eyes still closed, they streched their newborn wings. A bright portal formed on the ceiling. AVALeeD flew in. In a flash, they were all gone.
Ellone, Kiros, and Ward stood in awe. "Good luck," Ellone whispered. "Take care of everything."
TBC
Note: There ya go, folks! Hope this'll hold ya down for a bit. I won't be able to write any fics until August, but don't give up on this fic, it'll be finished!
Hey, have you guys been checking the highly modified version of this, Final Fantasy Journeys? It's way better! Check it out and review, it's good!
