CHAPTER 20
THE WATERY WENCH
Morning rose on the city of Berkana. The dawn's rays found their way into Ramza's cabin on the Cassiopeia and relished flashing into his eyes, waking him from a sound sleep.
"Errrgh," Ramza grunted as he awoke. After blinking a few times and then shaking his head, he remembered what day it was. "...It's time," he said as he stood up. "I had better go eat something..."
Ramza walked out of his cabin and entered the meeting room. What he saw gave him the surprise of his life. Everybody else was already up and wide awake.
"SURPRISE!!!" they all shouted at Ramza.
"What? What's this?" Ramza asked.
"Ramza, you've been working so hard these past few months..." Alma said. "I asked everyone to help me out to make something special to show our appreciation!"
"We made you breakfast, Ramza!" Rad said as he pointed to the table. Ramza's eyed widened as he saw huge massive meal laid out on the flat wooden support. There was orange juice, toast, milk, jam, the works.
"Woah, guys..." Ramza said.
"You didn't get a 'thank you' from Ivalice for saving everyone from Ajora the first time, so this is our little consolation gift to you," Agrias said as she smiled.
"Dig in!" Mustadio offered. "Invading Ivalice can wait!"
"Well, all right, guys..." Ramza said. "I don't know what to say! Thank you, everybody!"
Ramza sat down at the table and looked at the spread. Just then, a thought struck him and he just sat there.
"...What's wrong, Ramza?" Ovelia asked.
"Oh, drat," Cloud grumbled. "It's the jam. I should've known he didn't like raspberry! Oh, I had a perfectly good opportunity to go and get strawberry, but NO-O-O..."
"No, it's not that," Ramza said. "I didn't save Ivalice from Ajora. We all did. We're a team, guys."
"Well, no argument there..." Beowulf said. "But... what're you saying?"
"I shouldn't eat this alone," Ramza said. "We all helped save Ivalice, so we should all eat it."
"Wow, Ramza, that's so nice of you," Celes said.
"And very appreciated," Reis said. "None of us have had anything to eat either."
Ramza sweatdropped as a huge rumble of stomachs rolled through the room.
"DIG IN!!!" Seifer yelled as the tension broke. Everybody seized forks and attacked the delicious food.
"I can't believe this!" Delita yelled at Law in Zeltennia Castle. "You go around talkin' big about yourself and you can't beat Ramza?! You're pathetic!"
"I would have beat him had I known his secret weapon," Law growled. "The next time I face him, the results will be different."
"So now he's headed here, eh?..." Delita asked. "Well, I'll prepare a warm welcome for him... The rest of my Zodiac Soldiers will go and deal with him while I prepare myself." He looked over his shoulder at Rafa, who was standing next to his throne. "Isn't that right, my sweet?..."
"I will do whatever I can to assist you, my lord..." Rafa said hynotically.
"Good," Delita said as he smiled cruelly.
"Whatever," Law grunted. "I'm stickin' around 'cuz I owe that Ranma jerk a beating."
"...It's Ramza," Delita corrected him.
"Right, right, Ramza," Law muttered. "I'm gonna go sharpen my skills. If you need anything, ask your exotic slut over there."
"Just get out of here before I decide to slit your throat," Delita growled.
"Heh heh... Touchy, ain't we?" Law chuckled before leaving the room.
"Urrrrgh..." Delita fumed. "That guy is such a... Well, I guess it'll actually be worth it to see Ramza take him out." Delita pulled the Rabbit Stone that Gideon had given him out of his pocket and stroked it lovingly. "You're gonna make me so proud..." he whispered.
"Asshole," Law grunted as he shut the door behind him. "I'll be glad when Ranma takes him down."
"Uh, isn't it 'Ramza,' boss?" Silas, who was standing at the door with Adela, asked.
"This is a running gag, isn't it?" Law muttered.
"It's OK, Law," Adela said. "When Ramza shows up, I'll do whatever I can to assist you."
Law shot an angry and frightened glare at Adela. Those were the exact words that Rafa had said to Delita. Could it be that Law was more like that power-crazed madman than he thought?
"...Get lost, you two," Law muttered. "I need to be alone."
"OK, boss," Silas said as he vanished. Adela looked at Law again and walked out into the castle courtyard.
"Urrrrgh..." Law growled. "So I was wrong all along... Thunder God Cid never had Rival... HE does..."
The Cassiopeia sailed northeast over the blue ocean towards Ivalice. The suspense and tension in the air was very thick. Even Davis, who wasn't even going to be fighting, was less than chipper.
"When we regain all the Chrono Stones, I will be able to have all my powers again and your friends can return to their own worlds," Everhart said.
"Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!" Seifer said. "I'm fed up with this place! Too many politics for my taste."
"I wonder why Law is afraid of my Chaos Blade..." Ramza said as he held the aquamarine-and-purple sword up in the light. "I don't see anything special about it..."
"Hey, Ramza," Agrias said as she sipped her tea. "When we get to Ivalice, don't you think Delita will send the rest of those Cativo things after us?"
"Yes..." Ramza agreed.
"There's four stones left, and four of our friends are still MIA..." Mustadio said. "Balmafula, Meliadoul, Olan and..."
Ramza sighed heavily.
"We'll have to knock some sense into 'em," Celes said. "Just like how we saved everyone else."
"Yeah..." Ramza agreed. "Is everyone ready?"
"It won't be enjoyable, but I'll do my best," Beowulf said.
"We must fight, for their sakes..." Reis said.
"Hey Ramza! Where should we land when we get to Ivalice?" Davis called from the control room.
"Try landing near Warjlis Port City," Ramza called back. "That's the closest we can get to Zeltennia without Delita spotting us."
"Couldn't we just fly to Zeltennia?" Alma asked. "I mean, all the airships were left back in Zeratul..."
"That's what Delita WANTS you to think," Davis muttered. "Ivalice has a whole brigade now too. Ramza's thinkin' on the right track."
"How do you know, Davis?" Malak asked.
"He forced me to design 'em all," Davis growled.
"What?!" Agrias yelled. "You helped the enemy?!"
"What could I do?!" Davis retorted. "That punk ninja that hangs with Law was breathin' down my neck, plus they hid my cigarettes!"
"Gee, that'll make you bend to anything, huh?" Seifer muttered.
"Do you want me to fly this ship or not?" Davis grumbled.
"All right, all right, everyone stop picking on Davis," Alma said. "We have to focus on our goal!"
"We'll land at Zeltennia and go in on foot," Ramza said. "We can get to Zeltennia castle the fastest by taking Lionel Road all the way from Warjilis past Bethla Garrison, and then from there it's just a quick hop to Zeltennia."
"It's a good idea," Celes said. "But what if Delita has obstacles for us to get through?"
"Then we'll smash them," Amarant growled.
"Well, that solves that problem," Malak said.
"Chances are that Warjilis will be occupied," Orlandu said. "Only a few of us should go down at first so it doesn't seem like an invasion."
"Good idea," Ramza said. "And since you suggested it, you'll come with me."
"D'oh!" Orlandu huffed.
"Not just Orlandu, though," Ramza said. "...Malak, Gau, Agrias, you guys come too."
"All right, Ramza," Agrias said. "I'm always ready!"
"Gau help! Auoooo!" Gau howled.
"If there's any chance of finding Rafa quicker, I'm all for it," Malak said. "Count me in!"
"The rest of us will stay here and wait for you to come back," Ovelia said. "Good luck, guys."
"We'll come back safe, Ovelia," Agrias said. "Don't worry."
Davis piloted the Cassopeia a safe distance away from Warjilis and set down on a nearby sandy beach. Ramza, Orlandu, Agrias, Gau and Malak got out and walked into town. The trade city was filled with hustle and bustle just like always. Sailors loaded and unloaded cargo from ships, street peddlers tried to sell useless crap to passersby and rich businessmen dined in quaint outdoor cafes. Things seemed pretty normal for the most part.
"Things seem pretty normal for the most part," Malak said. "There's the wharf, hauling fishing boats like usual, there's the pier, where folks are taking cruises out to Deep Dungeon Island, there's a bunch of Nanten Knights beating up on innocent civilians..."
"What was that last one?" Ramza asked as he stopped walking.
"I said 'there's a bunch of Nanten Knights-'" Malak began to repeat.
"I heard you," Ramza said. "We've gotta stop them!"
"What're they doing, anyway?" Agrias asked.
Ramza and company ran towards the scene of conflict, but stayed far enough away that they wouldn't be noticed. A group of Knights were yelling at a woman with two children.
"Hey, what's dis?" the head Knight yelled. "You know da wules. If ya don't pay yow taxes, ya get evicted! So get outta here!"
"Please," the woman was begging. "The King's tax increase has been hard for my family. We all need to work harder to make money. Please, give us a week longer..."
"Dat's enough!" the head Knight shouted. "Yow behind by twee weeks awweady! Eidow you fowks out ow you GETS out!"
"Must be the tax enforcement patrol," Orlandu said.
"Bad men! Gau attack?" Gau asked.
"Not yet, Gau..." Ramza said.
"There must be SOME way I can get you to give me more time!" the woman pleaded.
"Hmmm... Weww..." the Knight said as he scratched his chin. "OK, hewe's my pwoposition..."
"I don't like the look in that dude's eyes..." Malak growled.
"You's a pwetty good lookin' woman," the Knight chuckled. "How's about dis; you kin have anuddow week to cough up some dough if you..."
"OK, NOW we attack," Ramza growled.
"AAAUUOOOOOO!!!!" Gau shrieked as he leaped forward and landed in front of the Knights.
"What a disgusting government agent!" Orlandu growled. "Such dishonor is inexcusable!"
"Hey, who's dese guys?" the Knight asked his fellow knights. "Get outta hewe befow I get WEAWWY mad!"
"...Hey, do you hear how this guy talks?" Agrias chuckled. "Hey, guy! Say 'rascally rabbit' for me!"
"I'm sure that's a copyright violation somewhere..." Malak muttered.
"Hey, I know youse!" the Knight yelled. "You'w Wamza Beouwve!"
"No, I'm Ramza Beoulve," Ramza corrected him. "Lots of folks seem to have trouble with my name these days..."
"We's just doin' ouw job in da gweat sewvice of King Dewita, but we've aww got speciaw pewmission to get rid of YOU!" the Knight yelled. "Get 'im, boys!!!"
The five or so Knights attacked Ramza's party. As usual, Ramza and company defeated them without any trouble.
"Make a run for it!" Agrias shouted to the woman and her kids. They ran into their house and locked the door.
"Awwww!!!" the head Knight complained. "Now how'm I evew gonna get any-"
"You're as sick as your voice is funny," Orlandu said. "Leave now or suffer the fate of your subordinates."
"Dis ain't ovew!" the Knight said. "We've got a secwet weapon!"
The Knight whistled and a familiar figure stepped out from behind a building. She had blonde hair and wore raggedy brown clothes in addition to her blue cap.
"B-Balmafula!" Ramza exclaimed.
"Another Ramza friend?" Gau asked. "Then she must have Cativo! Look out!"
"Bawmafuwa, get dem!" the Knight laughed.
"Of course," Balmafula said as she pulled a shiny, spherical object out of her shirt. It was an aquamarine-colored stone.
"A Chrono Stone!" Orlandu said. "Get ready, everyone!"
Balmafula held the stone high in the air and a bright flash shot through the town. When it cleared, Balmafula was gone and a gorgeous, blue-skinned woman with green hair and holding a trident had appeared.
"I am Neptune, the Cativo of Water," Neptune announced. "You've done well to defeat my cohorts, but your quest ends here!"
"Woah... Now YOU'we a woman!" the Knight behind her said. "Hey, you wanna-"
"Silence, lout!" Neptune shouted as she ran the perverted soldier through with her trident before turning back to Ramza and company.
"I don't know whether to comdemn her or praise her," Agrias said.
"Neither," Ramza said as he readied his sword. "Help her!"
"We shall release Balmafula from your grasp!" Orlandu shouted as he swung Excalibur. "LIGHTNING STAB!!!"
"WHAAAA!!!" Neptune yelled as the electric attack jolted through her. "Curses! I forgot that you specialize in electric attacks... No matter... I shall guard against it!"
Neptune aimed her rather large chest at the party. "HYDRO PUMP!!!" she shouted. Two huge jet-powered streams of water flew out and soaked everyone.
"Aaaagghhh!!!" Malak yelled. "So wet... yet... so... aroused..."
"OK, that was just disgusting," the network censor said. "We can't allow such lude scenarios in stories such as this! It's degrading society and desensitizing children!"
"This game series is rated teen," Agrias said. "Kids don't play it; teenagers do."
"Teenagers bring it to kids so THEY can play it!" the censor yelled. "We can't continue putting such vulgar-"
Neptune turned around and used her Hydro Pump attack to blow the censor out over the ocean. "OK, where were we?..." she asked.
"We're at the part where we KICK YOUR BUTT!!!" Agrias shouted. "LIGHTNING STAB!!!"
"Ah-ah-ah," Neptune mused. "Think again."
As soon as Agrias swung her sword, the electric attack shot out and zapped everybody BUT Neptune. "Don't you see?" Neptune asked. "Water conducts electricity, and since you're all the wet ones..."
"Nuts..." Malak grumbled as he twitched a little from the jolting.
"Don't use Lightning Stab!" Orlandu said. "Try something else!"
"Gau try a rage!" Gau said as he hopped forwards. "Rage: Retainer! SHOCK!!!"
Gau produced a regal-looking sword from out of nowhere and spun it around. A red pillar of energy shot up underneath Neptune. With a pained hiss, she fell backwards and landed on her butt.
"Nice one, Gau!" Malak said. "I'll try something too! STORAGE SPACE BACK!!!"
Malak's random Hell Skill hit its mark twice. Neptune took both blows on the chin and stumbled back even further.
"Man, you guys don't let up!" Neptune remarked. "But this is the end for you. Prepare to see my TRUE power!"
"Oh, what're you gonna do?" Agrias taunted. "Shoot a Super Soaker at us?"
Neptune closed her eyes and put her hands together.
"Strange... What is she doing?" Orlandu asked.
"Aaahhh!!! Look!!!" Gau yelled.
Everyone looked. Neptune was dissolving into water and splattering all over the dock that they were now battling on. The puddle oozed over the side of the dock and dove into the water. When it had combined with the water of the port, a huge mass of it began to shift and stir. It gathered itself up into a massive aquatic hump and reformed into a larger, nastier Neptune.
"You fools now face me in my element!" Neptune laughed. "What can you do now?!"
"Oh, crap..." Agrias gulped.
"Care for another Hydro Pump attack?!" Neptune asked as she took aim.
"Uh... No, and yet, yes..." Malak joked lightly.
"Stop her, quick!" Ramza shouted as he ran up and slashed Neptune across the face with his sword. The aquatic amazon cried out in pain and recoiled backwards. Her Hydro Pump attacked fired into the air and didn't damage anything.
"That looks SO wrong," Orlandu commented. "But now that Neptune has merged with the water, our electric attacks will work even better!"
"You're still wet, kids," Neptune laughed. "There's no way you can shock me!"
"Oh yeah?" Gau asked. "How 'bout this? Rage: Rain Man! FLASH RAIN!!!"
Gau leaped into the air and thrust his arms out at Neptune. A huge electric disk appeared over his head and began to rain jolts of electricity. Gau made a motion with his hands and the jolts all flew at Neptune.
"WHAT?!" Neptune screamed as the electric blasts began pelting her. "AAAAHHHH!!!! IMPOSSIBLE!!!"
"Quick thinking, Gau!" Ramza commented. "Now let's end this!"
"SKY DEMON BACK!!!" Malak shouted as he activated his strongest Hell Skill.
"HOLY EXPLOSION!!!" Agrias and Orlandu yelled simultaneously as they cast their sacred attacks.
"Hyaaaahhhh!!!" Ramza shouted as he finished the assault with one powerful blow. All the attacks hit at once and Neptune exploded. It rained for a good thirty seconds and then Balmafula reappeared, clutching the stone in her hand.
"Ohhhh..." Balmafula groaned. "What happened?..."
"Balmafula!" Ramza said.
"Huh? Ramza?" Balmafula asked. "All right! I knew you guys would show up sooner or later!"
"I guess you were under Delita's control too?" Agrias asked.
"Yeah..." Balmafula said. "I'm not proud of it either. But hey, I'm back to normal!"
"Gau help Ramza again!" Gau laughed. "Gau feel good!"
"Huh? Hey, who's the wild boy?" Balmafula asked.
"We'll explain when we get back to the airship," Ramza said. "Come on."
"Airship?!" Balmafula asked. "Man, have I been out of the loop..."
"Wow, what an incredible story..." Balmafula said after everyone had finished filling her in on the airship. "These Chrono Stones have the ability to control time travel?"
"Only when we get all 12 of them will the Rooster Stone function properly," Ramza explained. "That's why we're going after them... Well, that and we need our friends back."
"Excuse me, but may I see that stone?" Everhart asked.
"Oh? Sure," Balmafula said as she handed the gem to the Lancer.
"The Water Chrono Stone," Everhart said. "One of the stronger ones..." He strained for a moment, flashed bright blue and then set the stone down. "Three more stones and I will be complete again," he said.
"That's great, Everhart!" Alma said.
"Where do we go next?" Reis asked.
"We head for Zeltennia," Ramza said. "We'll have to go on foot, though. It's too dangerous to fly."
"We had best set out soon, then," Orlandu said. "I'm sure that Delita has already been informed of our presence."
"We'll stay here for the night and set out in the morning," Ramza said. "We'll go to Lionel Castle and then head past Bethla Garrison to get to Zeltennia.
"I sure hope we can save Meliadoul, Olan and Rafa," Balmafula said. "But if they're last on the list, chances are that the Cativo that have possessed them are the strongest of the bunch!"
Ovelia sighed. "I've got a suspicion that you're right..." she said.
"I wonder how strong the one that has Rafa is?..." Malak asked.
"I guess we'll find out..." Ramza muttered as he looked out the window. He could see the tall towers of Lionel Castle in the distance. He knew that beyond them lay Zeltennia Castle, where Delita awaited him...
...And so did Rafa...
