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Chapter Five
What Dreams May Come
*The scene opens up to Locke walking into his and Elly's room. His face looks haggard and drawn as he closes the door, the tears of frustration working into his eyes. Hurriedly he wipes them away, but still they come. His big hands take off his blue bandana and he throws it on the dresser, next to the fairy incense burner. He sighs slowly, sitting down on the bed and takes off his boots and talks to himself all the while.*
Locke: Everything has gone by so fast . . . it's only been a day and already, I feel that you're gone forever . . .
*Locke lays down on the bed, his head on a pillow. The man shivers at the thought of his beloved fiance and he sighs, curling up into a ball.*
Locke: Oh Elly . . . where in Celes' castle could you be?
*Locke looks to the window and rises, standing in front of it, seeing the starry sky*
Locke: You always said that no matter what I'm doing, no matter where I am, you'll always be with me. I know you are . . . and now that I'm with you, I'm not letting another woman that I love slip away.
*Locke thinks*
Locke: It was partly my fault with what happened to Rachel the day she fell off that bridge. But now that I think about it, I think it was a slip of fate. Why else would she not remember me until the day she died at the hands of an Imperial soldier? And with Celes . . . well, I don't know what to come of that relationship. But I know that deep down inside, you're the one for me. I know you're ten years younger then I am, but I . . .
*Locke hesistates before continuing, thinking once again as his eyes tear over. He looks at the constilation of the astrological sign of Virgo, Elly's favorite sign and reaches out to it with a hand*
Locke: . . . I love you, Elizabeth Whittaker. And I'll be damned if I'll let you go.
*Locke walks back to the bed and lays down once more. He sighs as he throws off his shirt and vest and strips down to his pants, bare-chested.*
Locke: It's hard . . . thinking that you might be dead or something like that . . . I know you're not, though. I would know, deep in my heart . . .
*Locke listens to the sound of the wind outside and falls asleep to it, dreaming all the while.*
*Locke dreams, seeing things that he always has dreamed . . . but the night that Elly came into his life is something precious to him. He remembers it like it was yesterday, but in reality, it has only been a year and a half for the two. His first night that he actually talked to her remains in his mind. But one particular conversation sticks out in his mind . . .*
*Locke walks up to Elly, who is sitting there, writing. He sighs before walking up to her and sits beside her, pushing up her glasses so they do not slide off her nose.*
Locke: Hey there.
*Elly grins*
Elly: Hey yourself, stranger. It took you long enough to come. What took so long?
Locke: Well, I had business to take care of. You know . . . *shrugs*
*Elly sighs*
Elly: Yes . . . I know what you mean.
*There is silence for a moment before Locke speaks again*
Locke: You know, there's something I've been meaning to ask you, Elizabeth.
*Elly writes down a sentence as she shakes her head, her hair flying everywhere*
Elly: Go ahead, Locke. I'm listening.
*Locke hesistates before he begins.*
Locke: Elly . . . I was wondering . . . why did you stay here when you could have left for your world a few months back?
*Elly thinks as she writes down something, then stops, putting the pen behind her ear.*
Elly: I don't know, Locke. I think it's because . . . well . . . *sighs* I don't really know if I should tell. I've been just . . . confused . . .
Locke: Well, I don't want you to tell if you don't want to, Elly.
*Elly thinks again, then looks to Locke*
Elly: No, I'll tell you.
*Elly shivers and wraps her arms up to keep herself warm*
Locke: Well, alright.
*Locke hugs Elly and pulls her close to him. She is grateful and snuggles in return.*
Elly: Mmm . . . I feel warm.
Locke: I know. That's why I did it. *pauses* But come on now. Tell me why you stayed.
*Elly looks up at him*
Elly: Well, I have a lot of friends here, Locke. You know this. But there's really a few reasons besides that. One is the fact that all my hopes and dreams can come true. Meeting people that are real here instead of in my world, where you don't exist. Another was the fact that I can make a difference in the world with my writing. I had always wanted to do something involving writing when I was older.
*Locke smiles*
Locke: Well, you have, Elly.
Elly: And my other reason was because I fell in love.
Locke: Love? With whom?
*Elly pushes a strand of Locke's hair from his face to the back of an ear*
Elly: *whispers* You.
Locke: Me?
*Elly nods*
Elly: Ever since I popped into this world with Vincent and Sassena . . . and I saw you . . . I don't know, Locke. It's like . . .
Locke: It's okay. I think I know what you mean.
*Elly and Locke once again have a moment of silence. This time Elly is the one who breaks it.*
Elly: Locke.
*Elly caresses his face gently*
Elly: You think that we could . . . actually work together?
*Locke looks confused*
Locke: What do you mean?
Elly: You know . . . as partners.
Locke: Partners in what sense of the word? Lover partners? Or just partners?
Elly: Well . . .
*Elly looks away, her eyes looking at the night sky*
Locke: Elly, the relationship with Celes and I is over. It's been over for quite some time.
*Elly shakes her head*
Elly: I can't do that to you, Locke. You broke out of the relationship because it wasn't working out. Why put you back in that same prediciment?
Locke: Because I feel the same way, Elizabeth. I would be glad if you would give me a chance.
*Elly looks shocked as she looks to him.*
Elly: Really?
*Locke nods*
*Elly kisses Locke*
Elly: Then you know what type of partners I'm talking about, Locke.
*The dream fades and Locke then sees another dream, this one of Elly in the dungeon cell in Celes' castle. He seems to be able to hear her voice as she sings the song to Final Fantasy IX, Melodies of Life.*
Elly: Alone for a while I've been searching through the dark
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart.
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain,
Melodies of life--love's lost refrain.
Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why.
We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye.
And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?
Let them ring out loud till they unfold.
In my dearest memories, I see you reaching out to me.
Though you're gone, I still believe you can call out my name.
*Locke listens intently, never have heard the actual song. Now he remembers why she told him she liked this song so much. He continues to listen as he catches the last half of the song.
Elly: A voice from the past, joining yours and mine.
Adding up the layers of harmony.
And so it goes, on and on.
Melodies of life,
To the sky beyond the flying birds--forever and beyond.
If I should leave this lonely world behind,
Your voice will still remember our melody.
Now I know we'll carry on.
Melodies of life,
Come circle round and growing in our hearts,
As long as we remember.
*Locke is caught up in the power of her voice and wonders why she did not take up singing again when the image of her fades and he is sitting on a hill next to Ryvnn's Guardian Tree, alone. The 1,200 foot tree seems to speak to him as a young rat faced boy appears. He has greasy brown hair and he has a lanky build.
Boy: Excuse me.
*Locke looks to the boy*
Locke: Yes?
Boy: Have you seen a girl that has dyed blonde hair with light brown roots about an inch long? She's kind of chubby, wears big clothes with a sapphire ring and hippie watch and has blue eyes.
Locke: You memorize what Elly looks like or something?
Boy: Considering that she was in my electronics class everyday, I would know.
Locke: Who are you?
Boy: I'm Jimmy. And you're Locke, I presume?
*Locke nods*
Locke: What of it?
Boy: Elly's told me a lot about you.
Locke: Likewise. You like her, but she's mine.
*Jimmy sighs*
Jimmy: I'll never get Elly, will I?
Locke: Elly chose me and I chose her a long time ago.
Jimmy: Well, I'll get Elly to love me. I'll be sure of it.
*Jimmy walks off, angry*
Locke: So he's my competition, huh?
Guardian Tree: Not only him, Locke.
*Locke looks at the tree*
Locke: You only talk to Ryvnn!
Guardian Tree (GD Tree): I talk to whoever needs my advice and will listen to it, Locke Cole.
*Locke looks flabbergasted, then speaks*
Locke: Then what do you suggest?
GD Tree: Beware of a demon. You'll meet with him and he will fall in love with your fiance. He 'charms' young girls like her and has done it to Ryvnn. There's a way to break the curse, should she fall in his hands. Tadd knows the way.
Locke: Will he be around when that happens?
GD Tree: I do not know. But remember, he will be a demon. You'll meet lots of demons. But this one will be different from the rest . . .
*Locke's dreams fade away and he wakes up, shaking his head*
Locke: That was wierd . . . but I feel that it was so real . . .
*Locke stands up, picking up his shirt and vest, which are dirty and wrinkled. He sighs as he looks through the dresser and picks up a blue shirt, throwing it on and throwing the dirty items into a hamper.*
Locke: I guess I'll go outside for a bit.
*Locke walks to the door and opens it, leaving the room as he closes the door.*
*Locke goes over to Ryvnn's Guardian Tree and sees Ryvnn, Lufia and Freya there. All three girls show looks of concern at Locke, who looks like a madman, with his hair everywhere and his bandana missing. Sighing, Locke musses his hair up a little more so it looks horrible and joins them.*
Locke: Hey there, you guys. Or should I say, girls.
Ryvnn: But hey, crow. Get any birds in your nest today?
*Lufia snickers*
Lufia: Well, I don't know. Shall we test it, Ryvnn?
Freya: I say Locke has had enough surprises for one day.
Lufia: *in a five year old voice* But Freya . . .
Freya: No.
*Locke feels the top of his head and sighs*
Locke: I forgot my bandana . . . Shoot . . .
Freya: Well, I have to go talk to Zidane . . .
*Freya sighs as she sees a black mage trip on a tree branch sticking up from the ground.*
Freya: And help Vivi out over there.
*Freya starts walking off*
Lufia and Ryvnn: Bye Freya!
Locke: Tell Zidane to come over for a sec!
Freya: *as she's walking away* I will!
*Freya jumps up and disappears*
Lufia: Hard to think she's a rat, ehh?
Ryvnn: Well . . .
Locke: Hey you two . . . I had this wierd dream earlier.
Ryvnn: *interested* Oh really? What about?
Locke: Well, if the tree will permit me to sit on a branch, I could tell you.
GD Tree: Certainly, Locke.
*GD Tree holds a branch out to his waist level. Locke hops on it and begins to tell the other two about his dream*
Locke: Well . . . it went a little something like this . . .
*Scene switches to Vincent Valentine, Kefka and Celes, who are talking around a table. Celes has an angry look to her face as she studies Valentine's face, sighing at his idea.*
Celes: Valentine . . . no. I refuse to give up Elly into your custody. She's mine, as Lord Kefka has deemed.
*Valentine sighs himself, exasperated*
Valentine: I just wanted to take her so I can get Locke into my trap. But Sephiroth may ruin it, the dratted moron.
Kefka: Well, we must decide something before they come here to rescue Elly.
*Kefka laughs evilly*
Celes: I just want Locke. That's all I care about.
Valentine: *snidely* Obviously.
Celes: Shut up.
Kefka: Now, now, children. Do behave yourselves. We are on a strict time schudule.
Valentine: Whatever. *sighs* What to do . . .
*Celes stands, exclaming:*
Celes: I got it! We can set up a trap for the ones who are rescuing Elly!
Ryvnn: So you're saying that it was warning you that something else was going to take Elly?
Locke: If you're implying that, yes.
Lufia: *puzzled* Well, you have to do something, Locke! All of us do!
*Lufia gets up from a branch and gets an idea*
Lufia: Why don't you go to Celes' castle and see what she is planning?
Ryvnn: That's a good idea. We can also rescue Elly and get Locke to stop acting like someone just ran over his cat.
*Both Locke and Lufia look at her*
Ryvnn: What? I hate dogs.
Lufia: Yet you have a wolf.
Ryvnn: Shut up.
Locke: Well, if we're going to go, we should go now. And I have the perfect plan . . .
*All three teleport out to Celes' castle*
*Kefka looks to her*
Kefka: Continue.
Celes: We know that Elly is a 'creator', someone that can make things from the future and her imagination appear into another world. For example, we do not exist as real beings in her world. We are simply video game characters.
Valentine: What are you saying, Celes?
Celes: I'm saying that there's a chance that other 'creators' might be out there! If we can just get one of them, surely they would be able to do the same thing . . . for us.
*Kefka seems to take this idea into consideration and finally nods*
Kefka: Sounds good, Celes. I trust you will be able to carry this out.
*Kefka rises and leaves*
Valentine: I'll come along, to make sure you don't fail.
Celes: My dear Valentine, I never fail. You of all people should know that.
*Celes shakes her head and rises, starting to leave*
Valentine: Then why isn't Locke going out with you?
*Celes stops, then turns to Valentine.*
Celes: That I'm sure you know the answer to.
*Celes turns around again and walks out.*
Valentine: Yes . . . I'm sure she will fail, Master Zalgarius. And Kefka as well. But--we can't be too conscipious, now can we?
*Outside the door Ryvnn overhears as well as Locke and Lufia and has her face in a big shocked expression.*
Ryvnn: Carole and the others . . .
Locke: That's what Elly tried telling me?
Lufia: Yeah, Locke! You were busy, though.
Locke: Shit!
*Locke ducks as a pot is thrown at him*
Ryvnn: Locke!
*Ryvnn pulls out a katana and looks down the hall. She seems to scan the hall and points a finger at the person who is coming up, which is Hilde.*
Ryvnn: Stop!
*Hilde throws a knife at Ryvnn instead, piercing her hand to the wall. Ryvnn winces and bites heavily on her lower lip while Locke pulls out his knife and Lufia gets in a defensive position, hand raised.*
Lufia: Tell us who you are, now.
Hilde: Why should I? You're in my mistress' castle. I should just tell her now.
*Lufia pulls out her cellphone and calls Cloud and Jowy on three way*
Lufia: Cloud, Jowy? *pause* Yeah, it's an emergency! Take a group for each of you and the two of you do something. One spy on Celes' armies and the other come here to help me rescue Elly. Locke, Ryvnn and her group along with Freya have to do something. *pause* Yes, you can attack the bitch if she comes after you! Just hurry!
*Lufia hangs up the phone*
Hilde: You're here to rescue Elly?
Ryvnn: *gritting teeth and growling* Yeah.
*Ryvnn rips the knife out of her hand*
Hilde: Well, I'm really sorry--
*Mia comes up from behind Hilde and sighs*
Mia: You're supposed to help Kari--
Locke: Look, can you show us the way to Elly?
Hilde: Well, Kari knows where Elly is.
Locke: *determined* Show us the way to this Kari girl.
Lufia: *exclaim* I thought I was going to get Elly!
*They all whisper*
Hilde, Mia, Locke and Ryvnn: Not so loud, Lufia!
Lufia: *meekly* Sorry.
Locke: Ryvnn and I will take you, Mia and Kari along, provided you show us to Elly.
Hilde: That's a deal. What do you think, Mia?
Mia: It's a good deal.
Locke: Alright then. You all show us to Elly and we'll see what we can do about Celes.
*Hilde walks out first, followed by Mia. The other three follow soon after.*