Final Fantasy: The Chronicles Of Paine: Chapter 9
Author Note: This is a crucial chapter, and while it may seem quaint, it is not. There are a few references that are quite subtle, but watch for them. There is an especially important hint to my next story, which at this time is is only called: Final Fantasy: The Chronicles Of Paine Zero , because it is a prelude to this. This chapter answers alot of stuff to the story, so it is very important. You also learn more about the connection between Nooj and Paine, as well as an old enemy makes a return. Enjoi!
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Yaibal asked.
"Don't ask questions. I am taking over this ship, and you will do what I say, otherwise you'll end up looking like Wizard boy," Paine said defiantly, fire in her eyes.
"Wizard Boy?" Yaibal asked.
"He's in that tent over there," Paine said, pointing. "Now move."
"Cid will hear about this, make no mistake," Yaibal intervened.
"I know, because I will tell him. Now this is a matter of national security, and if you do not co-operate, I have authority to force you to," warned Paine, gripping her platinum blade which she received from Cid. She helped herself aboard, and motioned the rest of the Gullwings aboard.
"Everybody out," Paine ordered to all of the people aboard the airship. "And Yaibal," she continued. "I want that airship of ours operational ASAP, got it?". He nodded with enthusiasm. The Gullwings obediently followed her onto Cid's ship.
"Hey, I'm captain, and it is my job to give the orders around here," Brother said with boldness. Paine said nothing, though she did not have to, and only glared at him momentarily. "But I will alloy you to be the boss," Brother quickly said agreeably.
"Buddy, I'm putting you in charge of flying this thing. We are going to be flying over Gagazet at some point, so don't hit the mountains," Paine ordered.
"Aye aye," Buddy jumped into the pilot's seat.
"Everybody else, just sit tight until we get there." Paine said.
"Paine, what in Spira is going on?" Yuna demanded.
"We're planning an assault," Paine explained.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Sin will return, and it's too big a job for me to do it myself, and I know you'll help me," Paine said.
"How?" Yuna asked.
"Fayth, he has found a way to manifest himself, along with somebody else into a Sin re-incarnate. Fayth is the spirit of the aeon, Bahamut, therefore he completes the first half. He then needs someone to fill the other slot as the form of Sin," she said.
"So he can reincarnate people?" Yuna asked quizzically.
"Yes,"
"Anyone?"
"Yes,"
"Does this mean, that he can............bring him back?" Yuna asked.
"I can't really say, but there must be a way," Paine shrugged. Yuna said nothing, but appeared to be deep in thought.
"We're airborne everybody," Buddy called out. "No promises about hitting any mountains though, this bird ain't as nimble as the Celsius."
"Of course," Paine continued, ignoring Buddy, "of course, this means that Fayth could also bring back unwanted people,"
"Seymour..........or Yunalesca...." Yuna said quietly.
"That will never happen if we stop him in time though. He was to use Vivi, but I've done away with him, so he needs to find another host," Paine said wisely. "Besides, do you really want him back? I thought you had let him go."
"Of course I still miss him, but it's been five years and he may have changed," Yuna pondered darkly.
"It could very well be a reality, but don't expect there to be a happy ending," Paine cautioned Yuna. "This is a war, and we are soldiers. We are the only people who stand in his path. If we cannot stop him tonight, then I fear tomorrow may never come for any of us,"
"I know...." Yuna said sadly.
"If we could wake up tomorrow, and there was no more anger, and hate, and war, wouldn't that be worth fighting for? Wouldn't that be worth dying for?" Paine asked. "I joined my team of spies so that there would never be a war, that we could stop evil without alot of people knowing about it. Since we went off in seperate ways three years ago, I have saved the world once already, and only a select few know about that. However, like a conventional war, I still lost some of my friends. But as long as there is an ounce of strength left in my soul, I will never give up." Paine explained.
"What are you fighting for?" Yuna asked.
"If we make it through this, I'll tell you," Paine replied. "But for now, if you want to see him again, you need to be strong, as does every other person in Spira. We aren't going to attack Fayth using conventional tactics, because he'll be ready for us. We need to slowly and carefully find some things out about him first, because I have a feeling the root of evil is beyond him, and that Fayth is doing the work for someone else,"
"Who?" Yuna asked.
"I'm not sure yet, but it can't be good for us," Paine replied.
"So anyway, Paine, tell me about how you saved Spira without it knowing?" asked Yuna, changing the subject.
"Well, that's another story, and I have zero tolerance for bringing up my past," Paine muttered, somewhat annoyed by Yuna's nosiness.
"Anyway, Rikku!" Paine called out. "What's that piece of paper you got from Yaibal for, anyway?
"Nothing," Rikku responded coldly. She had in fact, not read it yet, and it had slipped her mind. She took it from her back pocket and read it silently.
"Rikku,
I know what's happened to you, and I know it is my fault. Gippal is a contact of mine and has been telling me what's going on with you and Brother. I know that Paine is with you, along with the Yuna and the Gullwings, and for now I want you to help out in anyway you can with them. I don't want you to give up on people, and just be yourself. The dark gothic attitude is only going to make you feel worse, and I know it's not you. That is why once Paine and my other agents finish this mission, I am resiging and putting her in charge of everything. I am sorry that I have not been around to be your father, and I want to make it up to you once I finish this job.If Paine has not yet told you she's an agent, then you can talk to her about it. I promise we can talk once this is all over.
-Your father, Cid."
"Wow," Rikku said softly.
"What is it, Rikku?" Yuna asked.
"I'm going to see my father soon, and I have not done so in a few years now," said Rikku, somewhat blankly, as if she was in a stasis. Yuna did not say anything, but gave her cousin a hug.
"It's going to be ok, and we'll be right by your side," Yuna comforted Rikku.
"That means alot to me, and I've decided that I am just going to be myself," Rikku smiled.
Paine sighed, "Oh boy......"
"This is your captain speaking. We'll be arriving at the Zanarkand Ruins in a few hours. Relax, you are now free to move about the cabin," Buddy chuckled.
"Buddy, I want you to make some short stops at these co-ordinates, because there are some people I want to pick up," Paine handed him a piece of a map with several spots circled. They read "Besaid, Luca, and Kilika".
"Who do you need to pick up?" Buddy asked.
"You'll see when we get there. I'm going to send them an email and tell them to get ready," Paine replied quickly.
Cloud raised his hand.
"Yes, Cloud?" Paine queried.
"I want to pick someone up from Kilika as well," Cloud answered.
"Got it, you're just going to have to be quick getting them onboard the ship, because we're behind in schedule," Paine said.
"Um, fellas? We got an un-recognised airship coming up on us real fast. They look armed, and they mean business. Orders?" Buddy asked.
"Go to audio," Paine ordered. Shinra pressed a button on the bridge's console, and then moments later a voice came over the speakers.
"Land the ship, now. We will fire upon your craft if you do not comply," Came a snooty man's voice.
"Who is this?" Paine asked into the microphone.
"That is unimportant. Land this ship so that we may pillage your airship and steal your spheres," he warned.
"That voice sounds familiar.......Logos?!" Paine asked.
"Erm.........yes....now land your airship at once!" Logos demanded.
"I don't have time for your shit, and I wouldn't listen to you if it meant getting blown out of the sky. And besides, we're approaching the sea, and once we leave the island, if you shoot us down, you will not be able to find anything from the wreckage. Who's in charge of that ship?" Paine demanded. There was a pause, and finally a woman's voice came over the PA.
"Paine," the woman said coldly.
"Leblanc," Paine replied. "Nice airship, you got there. Bet you had to steal all sorts of things to get that?"
"None of your business. So, since our little "fight" before you joined the spies, how's life?" Leblanc asked.
"It's a bitch, you?" Paine asked.
"Can't complain. You stole Noojie Woojie from me, and I got him back, and left you hurting. Does that sound accurate?" Leblanc asked.
"True, but I left you for dead after that." Paine said.
"But I'm not dead, am I, bitch?" Leblanc asked slyly.
"Not yet, anyway. So how is Nooj, anyway?" Paine asked.
"He's over you, and you can't have him back, if thats what you wanted to know. He felt sorry for me after what you did to me in that fight."
"Yes, I believe I left several deep cuts across your midsection with my sword, if I am correct. And Nooj still likes you, even with those nasty scars?" Paine shot back defiantly.
"That's not what I'm here to talk about. You and I have unfinished business," Leblanc declared.
"For you, right now, you can wait, because I'm busy trying to save the world. Now go home," Paine said cooly.
"After you finish 'saving the world', meet me and we can have our duel." Leblanc said. Paine picked up the microphone and carried it to the escape hatch at the side of the airship.
"Do you really want to wait?" Paine asked. "How about I give you a taste of what to expect?" She opened up the side hatch and pulled a rocket launcher from the cargo net on the wall. She took the large gun and aimed it at the Leblanc Syndicate's aircraft and unleashed a large explosive shell, which at about one hundred feet per second, was screaming towards the craft, and exploded in a fiery mess of burnt and twisted fuselage. The PA radios went to static, as the ship lost control. She closed the hatch and walked back to the cockpit. Watching on Buddy's monitor, she saw the ship wasn't destroyed, but was very damaged, and it slowed and headed back towards land.
"You and Leblanc had a fight?" Yuna asked.
"Friendly competition," Paine corrected her.
"Ok, so what was this 'friendly competition' about?" Yuna asked. "What about Nooj?"
"Once again, i will tell you about it some other time. That, is another story. Leblanc and I had been fighting to get the opening to join Cid's team of spies, and since then, she had nearly killed me. To this day, I've sworn to Yevon that I will get vengeance before I die, even if I face Sin before that happens." Paine said quietly.
"Everybody, it's getting late, maybe you should get some sleep before we get to these stops on our map," Buddy said. "I think there are some spare cabins onboard that you can use,"
TBC!