Author's Note: A word of caution! Read this note first! This chapter is long and full of chatter because it's the only way that I can go on without affecting the plot so be warned! But for your convenience, I immediately added another chapter to compensate for this rather, boring chapter. Hehe... I'm back, people! I got a day out of school because of some holiday... yep... but I'm in a rush here coz I have three chapters of my history book to read, three topics in chemistry to study, my laboratory work in chemistry to finish, algebra and many more! Wow... life can be so testy most of the time to students... heh... Anyway, I gave out clues about Rex and Riley's age but in case you didn't get them, they're both 26 years old... I have reasons why so don't ask. Hehehe... Here's chapter ten of my fiction! Hope you enjoy and thanks for your review! I think I'm going to have those one hundred reviews after all! Love you guys!!!!
Chapter Ten
"Achtung, baby!!!!" Brother's voice rang through the air of the bridge as he piloted the Celsius madly, out of Falcon Island. "We showed those Black Knights that they should not be messing with the mighty Gullwings!!" He added in between loud and happy cheers of victory. It just annoyed a lot of people in the bridge. "Rikku," He suddenly stopped and jumped out of his chair- putting the airship in autopilot mode- to interrogate his sister. "Did they do anything to harm you?"
Rikku smiled happily at her brother and nodded frantically. "Nope!" She said gleefully, causing a lot of heads to throw back at her. "In fact, they've been kind! I thought I was done for when I tried to escape but Louise nursed me back to health." Her smile faded into a disgusted frown. "Well," She stopped and looked back at them with a smirk, "Even that meanie rescued me..." She gave out a triumphant smile, "I guess he's not at all that bad! And besides, what matters is we're outta there already! It's time for some kind of party! Don'tcha think!?" She suggested chummily and raised her fist up in the air, almost dancing after he did that in utmost excitement.
"Speaking of Black Knights..." Yuna halted their little victory rampage; "I'm feeling a little guilty over the accusations that we spoke of Aeris." She stopped and stared at each of their faces. "After all, she did help us get out of there along with two of her siblings..."
"It's neither anyone's fault..." Paine began. "It's not our fault to get angry with her and it's not her fault to be a member of the Black Knights..." The warrior shrugged and stared at Yuna, "It's a sort of familial heritage... and she did have a choice..." A small smile flickered amusingly over at Paine's lips, "A choice that she unselfishly lay down for all of us... We could've been down there forever if it weren't for her, you know." She was throwing hints of amusement as she stared back at the other member of the Gullwings.
"I agree with Paine..." Tidus smiled brilliantly. His blue eyes twinkled in delight as he wrapped his arms around Yuna's waist. "I guess we owe her a lot, Yuna..."
"Doesn't everybody?" Paine rolled her eyes around and spotted Shinra who was looking amusedly at everyone. "Why are you gawking at everyone like an idiot?"
"I was just thinking about how you guys have changed for what? Five years?" He suddenly stood up and sat comfortably at his throne. "Ah..." He sighed contently and caressed the chair. "I've missed this place..." His eyes twinkled marvelously as she stared back at the other member of the Gullwings.
"Hey..." Buddy raised an eyebrow and gazed at the genius. "I refuse to admit that you've grown extremely taller for only five years... What happened?"
Shinra smiled mysteriously at them, comfortably fiddling with the armchair of his working area. "Time travel..."
"What?" Everybody felt like they were losing their senses as they asked Shinra in unison.
"After I left this airship for the Bikanel Desert, I was abducted by the Black Knights. I was scared of course, but when they told me that I could fiddle with all of their mechanics for as long as I want, I agreed to become a full-pledged member..." Shinra nodded with a delighted smile, "Aeris was the one who did that and I was only twelve at that time... which clearly makes me seventeen at this rate but..." He stopped and eyed each and everyone, making sure that they were paying him their full attention. "I'm of the same age as Rikku is right now because of-"
"Time travel..." Rikku added in pure shock as she stared unbelievingly at Shinra. All that the genius did was nod at her in amusement. "I was sent back here in the past to correct a few mishaps of things..." He stopped and breathed the air contently. "But that's a different story..." He sighed heavily and frowned at each of them. "And I don't intend on telling you because it's personal." He stopped and looked around the bridge. "Where's Aeris?" He asked, making the others wince and look around the bridge also.
"Where's Paine?" Buddy asked again.
"She must've noticed before us..." Yuna smiled happily at everyone, "Deck..." She whispered to Tidus with a small-amused smile, making the man nod in agreement. "Let's just leave them for a while..." Tidus answered.
"Hey!" Rikku suddenly shouted, making almost everyone jump out in surprise, "Aren't you telling us the reason why you were sent back in time to fix the mess?"
Shinra shrugged and grinned menacingly at Rikku, "Go figure..." The genius sat back, properly on his chair and began seeing through the panel, figuring out the upgrades that Aeris did to it. "It's something to do about all of this..." He muttered, allowing only Yuna to hear what he said after the summoner, walked towards where he was working.
"This?" She whispered back at the boy who was now smiling mysteriously with twinkling eyes.
"Yes..." He stopped and raised an eyebrow at Yuna, "Something to do with you, me, Rikku, the Black Knight patriarch and Aeris..." He flashed a small but happy smile, "It'll happen soon... as what Lady Louise planned it to be..." He stopped and chuckled. "I just couldn't imagine myself, flying through time just to meet a match who was supposedly older than I am..."
Yuna looked bewildered at this and thought about something, "Aeris?" She asked quietly and when she noticed that Shinra was blushing, she chuckled and nodded understandingly, "Aeris..." Yuna straightened herself up and patted Shinra's shoulder. "Good luck..."
Shinra frowned and looked up at Yuna, "I didn't go through all of these mess just to fail you know..." Yuna chuckled and went back to the others to interrogate Rikku with all of her experiences in the island from day one...
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Aeris stood comfortable on the deck, letting the cool wind of the night blow against her face. Her black-brown hair danced with the wind together with the Black, trademark cloak of the Black Knights, billowing behind her, revealing the clothers that she was wearing all the time. "So that's the uniform of the Black Knights..." Aeris almost jumped when Paine's voice boomed around the deck suddenly. She didn't hear her come mainly because she was too absorbed of her own thoughts. "You gave me a fright, Paine..." Aeris frowned at the knight for a few seconds and gave her a grin. "What?" She asked.
"You don't have to worry about being attacked by any member of the Black Knights..." The grin on Aeris' face faded, concluding on Paine's emotionless face that she still has doubts. After a few seconds, Aeris noticed that Paine's lips were twitching- she was trying to stop herself from laughing at her.
"Well," Paine said, in between her chuckle, "It's your fault anyway..."
Paine heard Aeris sniff with a mock frown. "That hurt..." She said, faking a cry. "Stop that..." Paine frowned, making her chuckle in delight at her little battle-of-wits victory again. After tumbling through a lot of thoughts that night, she swore that she didn't even know where to begin. Instead of speaking, Aeris' blue-green eyes turned towards the vastness of the sea. Her glimmering eyes are telling a thousand questions, waiting to be answered by non other than her self. "Sorry..." Aeris whispered softly. "I guess..." She muttered, making Paine's head fly over to her face in a disbelieving shock.
"It's all right... It's partly our fault for not trusting you completely."
The warrior received a nod from Aeris, "Thanks..." She stopped and looked at the stars with a small smile, "I guess I did the right thing..." She sighed contently and looked back at her crimson-eyes friend.
"You sure did..." Paine smirked at her and patted the metal plate on Aeris' shoulder, "You're really alright..." A unique smile flashed across Paine's normally stoic face, making Aeris beam in delight. "Ah..." Aeris exclaimed. "You smiled truthfully for the first time..." The Black Knight official smirked at the warrior. "It's truly a first..."
Paine rolled her eyes, "You really are like Rikku..." She sighed in defeat and raised both if her hands to halt Aeris. "I guess..." Aeris began and looked quizzically at Paine, "You're not mad anymore?" She asked again, making Paine nod slowly. "Why would I talk to you if I were?" Paine asked, matter-of-factly.
"Okay!" Aeris began cheerfully and looked back at the star-filled skies. "I plan on leaving the Youth League... I'm having conflicts inside me and I don't want this internal hemorrhage to get worse..."
"What do you plan on doing then?"
"The usual stuff before I ended up in the Youth League or in the Crusaders... travel all over Spira... gather knowledge... play blitzball for a team..."
"Or join the Gullwings..." Paine cut her off, making Aeris look at her unbelievingly. The pair of blue-green penetrated through her with all of the questions that fired out like a cannon ball, ready to explode anytime. "You mean it?" Fortunately for Paine, that was all that she fired. Maybe, Aeris was having a hard time comprehending every word that she just said. The warrior couldn't blame her. If she were put into Aeris' position, she would've thought of the same thing too. "I mean... what would the others think? Would they let me in? I think Brother wouldn't." She frowned sadly at this thought making Paine raise an eyebrow.
"You've been a lot of help to everyone so I guess they'll let you in..." Paine smiled confidently at her, "And don't worry about the airhead... I'll break his neck if he doesn't let you in..."
Aeris winced back at the thought. For a moment, she thought that Paine was serious about it but when Paine's lips twitched an formed into a small smile, it dawned to her that she was just jesting about the whole thing... though she could've sworn that Paine was dead serious about tearing Brother apart if he doesn't do what she says. Aeris shuddered at the thought but nodded happily at the warrior. "Thanks, Paine." Aeris answered happily.
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A Week Later...
"Have you seen, Rex?" Louise looked worryingly at the servant, interrogating about her own brother, "Gen. Rexus hasn't been out of his room for quite some time now..." She stopped and looked up at the female general with glimmering eyes. "And if he does, those who were near enough could tell that he isn't at all happy..." Louise looked wonderingly at the servant who shuddered in fright.
"You don't have to shudder in fright because of that." Louise raised a very interested eyebrow at the servant.
"He's been in a temper, ma'am..." The servant shook her head in disbelief and scratched her head. "I know he wouldn't hurt anyone but his voice is enough of a beating." She shuddered again making Louise laugh in amusement.
"Yeah..." Louise chuckled and nodded at the servant, "He does have a way with words... harsh or not..." Letting out another fit of laughter, she passed by the servant and tapped her on the shoulder. "Off with you then..." The servant smiled at Louise and walked away with a respectful nod. "Thank you, ma'am..." The servant answered and walked towards an archway to continue her duties.
"Unfortunately for all of us, it seems like you're the only one who's unaffected by Rex's powerful charisma..." Riley's voice loomed in from one of the junction. Obviously, he has been listening to Louise's conversation for quite some time now. "With the exception of Aeris of course..."
A small light smile spread across Louise face, "He wouldn't dare..." She answered without turning around.
"Hm..." Riley pulled himself away from the pillar that he was leaning on to. "You'd make a perfect leader, you know..."
Louise winced at the thought and rolled her eyeballs. "It's not a compliment for my taste, Riley..." She snapped and turned around to face her brother. Resting both of her hands to her hips, a very curiously annoyed smile played on her lips. "What are you getting at again, my dear brother?" She asked.
Riley smiled mysteriously at Louise and chuckled, "None at all..." He began walking beside her sister, making their way towards the natural garden of the island where the waterfall was. "At this time of day, Rex goes off towards the east wing to bicker with Rikku..." Louise shot up a very amused glance at her brother. "Really?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"And I'm supposing that he still hasn't had enough of their tiresome bickering..." Riley grinned down at her sister.
"Well..." She smirked and looked ahead of her, as if pondering on something or perhaps... planning about something. "I guess a story isn't really exciting without an antagonist..." A plotting smile played on her lips as the two began walking out of the chateau to wander around in the garden. "Have you talked with Rex about the assassination plan?"
Riley blinked. Amazed at how Louise could change her facial expression in almost an instant. "He told me that we just have to grab Yuna immediately for all the world to know..." He stopped and looked down on his sister sadly. "Luca stadium... in a blitzball tournament..." He sighed. "He told me that according to the latest report of the new spy, the Besaid Aurochs are going in a game with the Luca Goers and you know that Tidus is one of the players of the Aurochs, right?" Louise nodded and smiled mysteriously again.
"Of course..." She grinned at Riley. "What are you plotting on again?" Riley interrogated, getting interested about the way Louise's mind is working.
"Is there anything wrong with asking?"
"No... but if you're the one who's asking... yes..."
Louise raised an eyebrow and dragged her brother towards the chateau again. "We have to confide with Aeris about this matter..." She smiled again without looking back at her brother, "She's the key to the success of this one... include Paine since she has a way to convince the others."
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"Again?!" Aeris almost shouted in a whisper as she fiddled with the panel where Louise and Riley's face were visible. "We just rescued her and you're telling me that you're going to kidnap her again?" Aeris frowned at her sister.
"Calm down..." Paine said, looking up at the bridge's entrance in any case somebody chooses to stay in the bridge at one in the morning. "Why would you like to kidnap her?"
Aeris and Paine saw Louise and Riley's dumbfounded gazes. "You didn't know?" They both said in unison after exchanging a quick glance at each other.
"Get to it already!" Aeris frowned at them and then remembered her sister's words. "Oh..." Her blue-green eyes widened in shock but glittered in total amusement.
"What?" Paine asked wonderingly.
"We finally concluded after Rikku was taken back with you..." Louise said, smiling mysteriously at Paine. "Something's going on inside my brother's head and I think that you know what it is..."
Paine's eyed narrowed in confusion but immediately caught on with what they were saying. "So you're telling me that Rikku can save Yuna by..." She trailed of her words and raised an eyebrow at Louise.
"Exactly..." Riley answered with a nod, flashing a very fond smile at the two of them. "Rikku stalls my brother from continuing with his plans. If you must know, the two of them does nothing but bicker all day but what amuses me though..." A small fit of amused smile lit up the man's face. "Rex seem to enjoy pestering Rikku and work when she was around here has been dead slow..."
"It seems to me like Rex is already have second thoughts about carrying out his revenge..." Louise answered making the others stare at her in silence. "Make a wild guess..." Louise grinned mischievously at Paine.
"I understand..." Paine's lips twitched. Thinking about how ridiculously thought up this plan is... "How do you plan on carrying this out?"
"You have until the blitzball game between the Aurochs and the Luca Goers..." Riley replied looking towards the door as he heard a knock from it.
"We have to go... somebody's coming..." Louise smiled at her sister and then to Paine. "You have to device a plan to get the airship hauling towards the island..." She smiled and then nodded at the two. "And I assure you the nobody would get hurt in the process..." With a final wink, Louise cut off the communication sphere in the island.
Aeris and Paine were both consumed in silence but after a few seconds, the two switched a very amused glance at each other.
"How are we pulling this off then?" Aeris asked, raising an eyebrow at Paine.
"I was hoping that you have plans of your own..." Paine shrugged and then looked down on the floor. "Don't worry... I'll tell you when I finally have an idea..."
Aeris nodded at the warrior and then looked up at the glassy portion of the Celsius. "It'll work..." She stopped without looking back at Paine. "It has to..."
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Djosé Temple...
"Vydran!!" (Father!!) Rikku dashed towards Cid and gave him a loving hug. "Stop it before you make me strain my bones out!" Cid warned but hugged his daughter nonetheless. "Where've you been these past month? I've been worried sick coz you haven't even contacted me to tell me how you and your moronic brother is doing!" Obviously, no one even bothered telling him about the kidnapping part of Rikku. Everybody knows what would Cid do if ever he found out about it.
"I-er... I was going to surprise you with this visit!" Rikku answered gleefully and hoped that her father would buy her excuse.
"You've been running crazy with all of those sphere hunting nonsense again, have you!?" Her father frowned. Rikku pouted at him. At least he bought it... She thought and decided to attack the opportunity before it slips away. "You know well that it's what I do!"
"Tch! You're already 22 years old but you still refuse to act your age!" Cid snapped at his daughter, making her frown again, "You should be looking for a good husband by now!" He purposely said that out loud and then glared over at Gippal. "Unlike that swine over there!" If what Cid told her earlier was loud enough, the latest remark was even louder, making the machine faction workers giggle in delight at Gippal's beet-red face.
"Hiya!" Rikku moved away from her father and waved her hand at Gippal. If I could talk with that annoying meanie in Falcon Island then I don't see any reason why I shouldn't talk with Gippal... She told herself comfortably at the shocked face of Gippal.
"Does this mean, you've already forgiven me?" Gippal's remaining eye widened in utmost disbelief.
"Whaddya think?" Rikku rested both of her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow at Gippal. Still the handsome guy that I know back then... She sighed mentally and then flashed a very happy smile at Gippal. Oh well... Rikku extended her hand over to Gippal, "Friends? Like before?" Gippal threw her a sheepish smile and accepted her hand in delight.
"Alright, Cid's girl..." Once again, the ruined friendship that was formed years and years ago was sealed up with a simple gesture of a handshake. At least Rikku's feeling a wee bit better about the whole thing. She thought that it was silly of her to lock this thing up for two years and the only solution that she needed was this and only this. However, she felt a very odd feeling about Gippal that day.
She wasn't in love with him anymore...
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Aeris was chuckling in the airship as she was watching the commsphere along with the other members of the Gullwings. "You guys are wrong about me being similar to Rikku in a lot of ways..." She grinned back at them with twinkling eyes. "I would never forgive that git in a thousand years, you know..." She leaned her back comfortably on the chair.
"You mean to say that he also played you?" Shinre frowned and the others noticed that his eyes were blazing furiously at Gippal's image in the commsphere. His hand was already tightening on the hilt of his sword and ready to turn his heel around to do something really bad.
"Yeah but it wasn't such a big deal..." She smiled contently and blushed a little, "I don't let any man get the best of me..." A mischievous smile flickered on her lips, making Yuna, Tidus, Buddy, Paine and Shinra nod.
"I'm not getting your point, Aeris..." Brother asked dumbly.
"We'll explain it to you when you're older." Paine almost snapped and then turned her attention back at the commsphere.
"But he's still lucky that Paine and I were the only one who gave him a hard whooping on his ass..." Aeris chuckled and looked quizzically at Paine in a very amused way, "How bad did you get him?"
"You don't wanna know..." Buddy answered, shrugging at her in a sorry way for Gippal.
"Oh..." Aeris' eyes widened in disbelief as she looked questioningly over at Paine, "That bad, huh?" She asked again.
"I wanted to make sure that he wouldn't do it again..." Paine's lips formed into a small evil-like smile into everyone's eyes but to Aeris, it was just her normal and amused smile. "Okay..." Aeris answered and turned the commsphere off.
"I'm still wondering why Rikku wasn't kept in the prison cell like we were..." Tidus asked and then looked at Aeris, "do you have anything to do with that?" He asked wonderingly, making Paine and Yuna look over at Aeris. Both in a different way since Paine knew the whole truth by now and Yuna only has clues.
"I don't have anything to do with it..." Aeris blinked innocently at them. Making Paine and Yuna conclude that she is really a very good actor. "Seriously..." Yuna and Paine switched glances, concluding again that she was telling the truth. "But I think it's only humane for a wounded person to be sent to a more comfortable room, right?"
"But why was she kept in that room for the rest of her stay as if she was a guest?" Buddy asked again, curious over the whole fact.
"Rexus' orders are the rules..." She stopped, her eyes glimmered in delight as she looked back at the others, "It's his order to confine Rikku in a comfortable room..."
The others scratched their heads in confusion except for Paine and Shinra who obviously knew the truth. "Why would he do that? I mean, Rikku's supposedly sided with the enemy..." Tidus asked again, growing in confusion as each question pass his head by.
Aeris smiled mysteriously and sank back on the chair. Her eyes were glittering in mischief but inconspicuously hiding the fact that she knew something that the others didn't know. "I dunno..." That was all that she answered, making the others give up on their interrogating.
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Guadosalam...
"Ah! What is that Black Knight doing here!?" Le Blanc immediately waved her fan, motioning Logos and Ormi to stand behind her to prepare to fight. "I'll take care of this pretty face, loves..."
"Be our guest..." Paine answered in a very mocking tone. Aeris just smiled at Le Blanc and company and "accidentally" motioned her hand to her side to let them see her humongous gunblade. Le Blanc faltered back as she noticed the dangerously glittering and thick blade of Aeris' weapon. She just couldn't bear the thought of how painful it would be if the blade that the Black Knight official was carrying sliced her. "Er..." The color of her face was drained as she moved towards Nooj, "But I don't think that she pose any trouble right now, Noojie..." Yuna, Rikku and Paine rolled their eyes at Le Blanc and stared at Nooj who was chuckling in disbelief.
"All this time, Aeris?" He asked. Though a little pain was obvious in his expression, the meyvn calmly stepped forward and tapped the lady on her head like a child when she nodded to confirm his question. "I forgive you..."
Aeris looked back at Nooj in admiration and then smiled. Not knowing exactly what to do, Aeris decided to fire the bomb at him, "And I'm planning on leaving the Youth League so don't bother trying to get rid of me..."
"She's a part of the Gullwings now!" Brother's voice boomed again from the commsphere.
"Quiet!!" Rikku shouted, igniting another sibling quarrel over at the commsphere.
"I guess I'm beginning to get your point about Rikku and Brother quarreling a lot." Aeris smiled and looked back at Shinra. Her eyes were glittering magnificently. "Thanks for the warning, Shinra..."
"Don't mention it..." Shinra looked away with a slightly flushed face. Rikku and Brother continued on quarreling as they continue on talking with each other about the formulated plans of frontal assault towards the island.
"The attack will commence the day after tomorrow." Nooj snorted and then looked back at Aeris. "It was originally a rescue mission for you guys but I don't think it's necessary at this time anymore." He smiled back at the Gullwings and nodded at Aeris, "Thanks to you again... It's a pity that you want to leave the league now."
"I guess I wanted to wash away the guilt first..." Aeris smiled at Nooj and then to Le Blanc. "I'll still be helping out if ever you need it..."
"I don't think my Noojie-woojie would need your help!" Le Blanc snapped back at her, "As long as the mighty Le Blanc is here, those Black Knights are nothing but chicken feed, loves!"
Aeris raised an eyebrow and looked worryingly at Nooj. "Which brings us to a very uncomfortable position..." Aeris stopped and turned her gaze towards the others. "Falcon Island is impenetrable..."
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Bevelle...
"So you weren't joking about that..." Baralai sank back on his chair and looked at the others until finally resting his gaze over at Paine. "Are you okay?"
Paine rolled her eyeballs again and shrugged at the Praetor. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here at all..."
"I guess Baralai doesn't care about anything else other than Paine." Rikku threw him a mockingly sad look on her face, making Paine and Baralai blush immediately.
"Hey!" Aeris pouted at Paine, "Give some credit! The guy's been worried sick about you!" A grin lit up the official's face, "It's sort of sweet... really." Aeris smiled, her face flushing a bit at the sudden show of a girlish attitude.
The others saw Shinra raise a very interested eyebrow and then moved forward. "I have a data where we could possibly launch our attack but it doesn't secure a hundred percent victory." He stopped and then looked back at Baralai. "Honestly, it doesn't assure anything at all... other than safe landing." He added miserably.
Baralai sighed and then looked up to Gippal and Nooj, "It's still worth the try..." his brown eyes shifted towards the Gullwings. "And we couldn't afford to let them kidnap Yuna again..."
The praetor's last remark struck a chord on Paine and Aeris' chest, making them switch an emotionless glance at each other. "As long as I'm here, Yuna wouldn't be..." Aeris grinned at Paine without even looking back at Baralai. "You've proven your point once and I doubt that you wouldn't do it this time..." Baralai smiled at her and then to Paine. "Let's get this over with then..."
"But, but..." Rikku suddenly shot her hand up in a protest, "What would you do if ever you're successful with your plans?"
"Capture the leader and lock him up in the dungeon, what else were you thinking, Cid's girl?" Gippal raised an eyebrow at her. "What gives?"
Instead of answering Gippal's question, Rikku looked down on her shoes and muttered, "Nothing..." She looked up at the others and then to Aeris. "I was just thinking if it will be alright with Aeris since... it's her brother..." Rikku's eyes were pleading without any reason present... or perhaps it was only unspoken.
"Why would I care about him? He's the one who wanted to exterminate Yevon..." Aeris raised a very curious eyebrow at Rikku and then noted a look at Paine.
"But he's still your brother!!" Rikku's voice was really and obviously pleading.
"I know but he deserve it!" Aeris said, her voice was calm, showing no hints of anything but the normal and nonchalant sort.
"Owwww!!!" Rikku pouted, "Poopie..." She muttered under her breath. "I guess it doesn't matter!" Everyone looked at Rikku confusingly leaving only Paine and Aeris with a sort of a skeptical gaze. "He's a bloated and mean guy who deserves every pain in the world!!!"
"Of course..." Aeris answered and lazily sat back on the chair comfortably, looking over at Paine with a nod. "The day after tomorrow, you say?" Aeris turned her attention back to Baralai, leading the others to forget Rikku's statement earlier.
"At the crack of dawn..." Baralai continued and looked outside of the glass wall of his office. "How did you guys manage to gather up such a force?" He turned his gaze over at Aeris again.
"A thousand years ago in the Machina War..." Aeris said and then looked at him in the eyes. "Our ancestors found this island as a refuge for those who survived the devastating blow in Zanarkand. They were helped by the Al Bhed using airships for transport and after that..." She smiled and then turned to look at everyone. "We've been researching to further advance the technology that was lost all in a thousand years by Sin's arrival."
All of them looked flabbergast. "You mean to say that your island wasn't even attacked by Sin?" Aeris shook her head at Gippal. "Not at all, pighead..." All of then snorted and stopped a fit of laughter in their chest. "Enough about history lessons..." Aeris jumped away from her seat and smiled at Baralai, Nooj and Gippal. "What's the plan?"
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"I see..." Louise smiled amusingly. "And I think that what you told me is the report that Rexus received earlier." Aeris and Paine switched glances. "What?!" Paine asked and Aeris raised an eyebrow at Louise. "It's nothing to be wondering about. In fact, the report is slow. If I were the spy then it would've been there long ago..." Aeris smiled cockily, making Paine smirk at her. "and I don't doubt it for a second." She agreed anyway.
Louise chuckled at Aeris' cocky comment and then continued on talking, "Make sure that you guys are coming along, surprisingly in the front lines to avoid further damage to the "Spiran Army"." Louise beamed a delighted smile. "That news was surreal, you know... I was dreaming of the day when Spira would be finally united." Louise leaned on her own chair comfortably. "It's true that trouble brings out the best in people..." A contented little smile lit up her face.
"We'll catch up on you some other time, sis..." Aeris said, looking up at the bridge's door. "I think somebody's coming..."
"Take care and see you soon..." Louise nodded and shut the communication sphere off, perfectly in time when the bridge's door opened.
"Hey..." Buddy entered with a bright smile on his face. "You guys are early today..." He jumped down from the railing and peeked at the panel in front of the two ladies. "What are you up to?"
Paine's lips tightened into a very thin line. She was thinking up an excuse but luckily, Aeris was quick to catch up, "We were just looking at Falcon Island's map and I forgot to tell Baralai that the access codes may be changed since our escape." Aeris looked back at the panel and accessed the map. "I may be a high ranking official but I don't think that they'll give me the pleasure of using my incentives and things around the island anymore..." She smiled at Buddy. "Go figure why..." She chuckled and turned the panel off after showing Buddy the location of the well-secured areas.
Paine sighed in relief and bolted her gaze towards Buddy's station when it rang up. "At this time?" Buddy irritably jumped into his station and gazed down on the panel with a very amused smile. "Yikes..." Buddy jumped out again from his station after a few minutes of reading. "Looks like Vidina's ordering us to speed up and go to Besaid..." HE chuckled and looked at Aeris. "He wants to see you..."
"At five in the morning?" Paine raised an eyebrow and then looked over at Aeris. "What did you tell him?"
Aeris guiltily chuckled and looked at their faces, "Well..." She stopped and then grinned mischievously. "Today is my deadline..." Paine and Buddy shrugged unbelievingly.
"You were that confident?" Paine asked. Aeris looked up at her with a pair of blue-green shining marvelously in joy.
"Yes..." She answered.
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Vidina stared at each of their faces and inspected if they were really complete. "Hiya kiddo!" Rikku's energetic voice rang around the beach for everyone to hear. "Aunt Rikku!!!" Vidina dashed towards the Al Bhed lady and gave her a tight hug. A shrill of laughter filled the whole beach as Vidina moved away and grinned happily at Rikku and then turned to Aeris. "You kept your promise!" He threw himself towards Aeris' direction, making her fall off-balance on the beach's sand. "Easy there!" Aeris chuckled and hugged the boy back again. "Come on! I've got lots of things to show you!" Vidina immediately grabbed Rikku and Aeris' hand and led them off somewhere, leaving the others staring back at them amusingly.
"We've got breakfast prepared for you guys..." Lulu smiled at them and saw Tidus yawn with his pair of sleepy blue eyes. "I'm sorry to have awoken you up at five in the morning. Vidina was too ecstatic to even sleep." Lulu chuckled and led them towards the village with Wakka following shortly after giving Tidus a playful punch on the chest, shaking him up a little. "I hope you guys are hungry. Let's eat up before it gets cold, ya?" Wakka added with a smile spreading across his face.
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Lulu smiled amusingly at a thought as Yuna's narration of the story was finished. "I knew from the start that there's something wrong about her..." She began and looked at each of their disbelieving faces. "From the first time that she greeted me, I just knew that there was something in there."
"Are you psychic, Lu?" Wakka asked, almost gawking at his wife in disbelief.
"No..." She said and smirked at her husband, "Just aware of everything that's going on around me..." She smiled and looked at Tidus who was chomping continuously. "Just like when Tidus first came into the scene."
Tidus choked at her comment and immediately drank up a cup of coffee on the table. "W-what's that suppose to mean!?" Lulu smiled at him and sipped her tea. "I was right about you for one... you caused Yuna so much pain after you've disappeared but..."
"There's a but?" Tidus beamed a smile at her.
"BUT..." The black mage emphasized and smiled at Yuna, "at least he returned and brought happiness to Yuna again." A dangerous flash in Lulu's eyes make Tidus falter back. "And if ever you hurt her... you know exactly what's coming to you..." Tidus looked around and saw Paine's unemotional facial features. It was free from any emotion but her eyes tell it all. But Lulu... Tidus swallowed a lump on his throat. He doesn't even want to think about what Lulu is capable of doing...
"Hey, hey, hey!" Wakka chuckled and smiled at them cheerfully. "We're going ta need him in the tournament!" He said, "If you guys want the aurochs to win, you've gotta let him pass on this one!" Lulu and Paine smirked at his direction and then turned towards Yuna. "But..." Wakka stood up from where he was sitting and motioned for the tent's entrance. "I still think that you should've told them about what you felt, Lu... just a precaution." He turned around and looked at each of their faces. "Who knows what would've happened if things turn the other way around... but it's not like I don't trust the lady at all..." He paused for a while and took a step to exit the tent.
"In fact, my opinion of her was raised since she fulfilled her promise to Vidina..." He smiled contently, "Even though Vidina's just a kid, ya?"
Everyone sat unmoving from his or her places. They were still pondering over what Wakka told them and they were completely shocked at this very un-Wakka-like comment. They were wondering where he got those matured thoughts. "Paternal instinct..." Buddy chuckled and then looked back at the others.
"Hey! You going to practice with the Aurochs or what!?" Wakka shouted back at Tidus who almost jumped out in surprise. "O-Okay! Er... just wait for a couple of seconds!" Tidus smiled back at them and waved his hand over when he finally exited the tent. "See you guys later!" He immediately ran towards the beach with Wakka and the other Aurochs.
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Besaid Beach: Night...
It has been some time now since Rikku sat on this spot in Besaid. She couldn't blame herself for it since she was kidnapped. Rikku frowned at the thought and then looked back up at the sky wonderingly. It's his fault! Rikku screamed internally, obviously loathing Rexus. But other than her reason of pure irritation towards the man, she couldn't hide the fact that ever since she escaped from his hands, she couldn't stop thinking about the arrogant man.
Especially the night when he came into her room and "rescued" her from a very bad dream...
"What are you doing here?" Yuna's voice reached the Al Bhed's ear, causing her to stop from musing. When Rikku looked up, she saw another figure walking beside her dressed in black: it was Paine who was obviously smiling in a weird way at her.
"Yunie..." Despite Paine's uncomfortable attitude, Rikku decided that she has to tell them... or suffer the consequences of exploding out to anyone. "It's about the leader of the Black Knights..." She looked beside Yuna with a confused expression on her face. "He's connected somehow with the nightmare that I've been having..."
Yuna and Paine's brain ran in light speed as they recalled the nightmare that she was mentioning to them. "What? How?" The summoner and the warrior asked un chorus, making Rikku chuckle amusingly. "You guys are funny..." She chuckled again but decided that it was no time to be making fun of them. This was a serious matter. "Well," Swallowing a lump on her throat, Rikku forced herself to continue on narrating the story and somehow- successfully- prevented herself from laughing at Paine and Yuna's awkward expression.
"When I awoke..." Rikku's voice faltered back as she threw them a very pleading look. "He was holding my wrist in the same way that my rescuer was holding me in my dream." The Al Bhed rocked back and forth as she looked up in the sky thoughtfully with a small smile. "Creepy, huh?" The other two made no comment. Instead, they both switched amazed glances and patted Rikku at the same time: Paine on her right shoulder and Yuna on her left.
"Do you feel anything for him, then?" Yuna asked, making Rikku's face turn into a very deep crimson.
"NO!!!" Rikku pouted and stuck her tongue out in disgust. "Why would I feels something for that arrogant, self-centered meanie!?" She voiced out defensively.
"Rikku's defenses are up again, Yuna..." Paine said, chuckling in amusement.
"Oooh!!" Rikku frowned at Paine, "Oui pimmo!!!" (You bully!!!) The three of them laughed out at her sudden defensive state.
"Spill it..." Paine insisted making Rikku smile thoughtfully again.
"Well..." Yuna and Paine interestingly shot her quick glances, "I dunno..." Rikku grinned at her friends and looked up at the sky, "But I'm sure that I still don't want any personal attachment to any guy after what Gippal did to me..."
"I can't blame you for that..." Paine snorted.
"Yeah..." Yuna said and looked over at her, "But you did forgive him..."
"I know..." Rikku smiled. Her bounciness overcoming her whole senses again. "I just wanted to be friends with him again... Just like before..." It's really amazing how Rikku could forgive someone who has caused her so much pain. For the sake of their old friendship...
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"I'm worried about them, sis..." Louise face peered in the panel as Aeris sighed worryingly. "No offense but you guys can take care of yourself pretty well, right?" Louise chuckled and nodded at her, raising both of her hands to halt her even just for a while. "Calm down, 'Ris..." She smiled and gazed deeply into her sister's blue-green eyes. "Everything's under control... I've got it all planned." The normally mysterious smile on Louise's face was flashed yet again. Her glittering green-gray eyes glimmered as she stared back at her sister who was currently sitting on the airship.
"Where are they?" Louise asked, noticing that Paine and the others are completely out of sight from her radar.
"We're presently at Besaid and everyone's just chillin' out. I just snuck in here to talk to you about the plan... what do you plan on doing anyway?"
"Just trust me..." Louise grinned at her sister menacingly again. "This is full-proof. I'm sure of that."
"What about considering Rex's and Rikku's feelings?"
Louise laughed at her sister's consistency and continuous interrogating. "Okay. Now I know you're worried but you've gotta trust me on this one." Another grin lit up her face again, annoying Aeris a little. "You'll know when it hit you... but I must tell you to hold Yuna back from jumping into the scene..." A glitter of worry flashed across Louise's face. "Tell Paine that and when we've got Rikku, convince the others to turn around immediately and continue the assault next time, alright?" Louise grinned and then looked at something beside her. "Company, Aeris..." She warned.
Letting out a very defeated sigh, Aeris nodded at her sister. "Okay... whatever..." Aeris smiled happily at her sister and after saying goodbye, the panel closed and Aeris immediately stood up from where she was sitting to enter the empty cabin. She wanted to avoid further interrogation if it wasn't Paine because if ever they started doubting her again, she would feel obligated to tell them the whole truth... that will obviously stop Louise from continuing her plan.
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Celsius Bridge; the day of the assault...
Paine stared at Aeris in the bridge with a raised eyebrow, "What made you think I won't stop Yuna for jumping at that height again?" Both of the chuckled at the silly thought, "Just a safety precaution, really." Aeris answered in between chuckles and slight giggles. "Your sister really is hushing this up, huh?" Paine asked the lady beside her; a little doubtful at first but she finally gave in after seeing the sincere look on her face. "She didn't even tell me..." Aeris pouted irritably at the floor and then looked up at Paine with a quizzical look. "That's all that she told me..."
Their conversation was suddenly cut out when Rikku jumped down from the railing and told Brother and Buddy to turn around and join the attacking squad. "That's not a very good idea," Buddy answered and looked at the monitor in front of him with a very impressed whistle, "Besides, I think they can pull it off with this army of 12,500 infantry, five air elements and ten navy fleet..." Aeris' head shot up straight towards Buddy with a very concerned look.
"They're going into a suicide mission..." Aeris said, making the others look back at her. "Their count isn't enough..."
Everybody faltered back at her words and unbelievingly stared at her even more for confirmation. When they saw her shake her head, it was enough confirmation: she's serious about it. After a few minutes of silence, Rikku immediately jumped out and almost shouted at the other member of the Gullwings, "Well, we have to do something!" Rikku marched towards her station and jumped in, barking out an order to Brother and Buddy. "Come on! We've gotta hurry before they leave for the island!"
"How dare you order your leader around!" Brother shouted and stubbornly stood his ground. After receiving a death glare from Paine though, he winced back and immediately jumped for his station without holding anything against Paine. It was a good thing that he knows what's coming of him if he refuses to do as she wishes.
"You know..." Yuna chuckled and stared at Rikku's busy figure on the station, "I'm really not sure if Rikku's worried about the legion or the Black Knights..."
Paine met Yuna's gaze and chuckled. "I think the feeling's mutual, don't you think so Aeris?" Aeris gave out a mysterious smile. "I guess it's safe to say that she's worried about both..."
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"They're starting to move, Rex..." Louise said after receiving intelligence reports from their spy in Bevelle. Rex stood at one spot without even flinching in surprise. Riley and Louise switched glances out of surprise since they were half expecting him to turn around and bark orders at them. "Did you check on the security measures, Louise?" A calm and smooth flow of words immediately raced out of Rexus' mouth. "Yes... Checked, cleared and changed..." She smiled at her calmed brother. Although she was sure what he was thinking at the moment, Louise thought that it was safe to stay in the white line for a few more hours.
After hearing her sister's confirmation, Rexus turned his heel and left them with a sigh. "I miss Aeris..." That was a purposely-asked question delivered by Louise to Riley. "The feeling is mutual, Louis." Riley answered with a little thoughtful and confused smile. Suddenly, it dawned to Riley's mind that Louise was catching up to Rexus' conscience yet again. His steel gray eyes averted towards his twin brother for any response. Riley saw him stiffen and halt hesitantly from his steps.
"I can't stop worrying about her too..." Rex smirked without looking back at them, "She's still my youngest sister and I'll kill for her, you know."
"But what if she starts fighting against you which will undoubtedly be in about..." Louise stopped and looked at the grandfather clock on the side, "Two hours..."
Rexus sighed and immediately walked out on them, obviously trying to avoid the question that Louise fired back on him. "I can't believe that you could be so heartless, Louise..." Riley began with a very amused smile. He just simply admires her sister's ingenuity in all aspects. "What's so heartless in helping out?" Louise smiled innocently at her brother, which later turned into a very satisfied smile. Bearing the mark of the phrase I-did-it-again.
"What are you up to?" Riley raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
Instead of getting anymore-direct answer, Louise immediately walked away with a satisfied look on her face, "Nothing..." She said, "Nothing at all..." She added, causing Riley to fix a really suspicious look on his own face. "Tell me about it Louis..." He said sarcastically as Louise turned into the juncture with a small and amused smile.
Everything was indeed... going according to plan.
Perfect.
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Author's Note: I told you... (Snorts)... well, just read the next chapter and tell me if you can forgive me for not updating for a very long time and for posting such a sorry excuse. Read and review!!! Nyahaha!!!