Chapter Six- Prince of Figaro, Blitz Master Sabin

"Vargas!" The blonde man cried, his voice suddenly filled with pain and torment. Terra could still not see their savior's face. "Why'd you do it? How could you do your own father in like that...?"

"Do in his father?" Locke asked.

"So, Vargas was slain by his son!" Edgar concluded. Hearing this made Vargas narrow his eyes hatefully.

"Fool!" He roared. "He made the mistake as choosing you as his successor! He snubbed me, his only son...!"

"No!" The blonde replied. "It was you he chose, Vargas!"

"You're a LIAR!" Vargas screamed.

"Our master wanted you to be the successor, not me..." The blonde trailed off, looking down. "He appreciated your fine spirit..." But Vargas wouldn't take it anymore. He brought his hands together, forming a blue ball of light between them.

"Enough of your lies!" He said, and burst out laughing. "Now, have a taste of my superior technique!" He spread his hands apart slightly and then thrust them forward, toward the blonde as well as the rest of the party.

"Mortal Attack! Blizzard Fist!" He exclaimed. All at once, the blue glow left his hands, flying out at the opposing party. The blonde brought his arms up and over his chest and face, blocking the attack, but Terra and the others were immediately hit, unprepared. The chilling winds collided into them, freezing their bodies at first contact for a paralyzing effect. Then, a more powerful gust of wind emerged from Vargas' hands, a gust so powerful it began to blow away the team. Terra, too exhausted to even attempt resistance, was blown away first, by about 20 yards. Edgar followed, falling to his knees as he was blown back. Locke's own strength finally gave out, and he was slammed back into Edgar.

Only the blonde remained, his arms still crossed over his chest and face. Every few moments, he would be pushed back an inch or two, but that was it. Finally, the attack gave out, and the blonde lowered his arms to his side, inhaling deeply. Vargas smirked and put his hands on his hips.

"Ahhh...Sabin, the master has taught you well." He said.

So...his name IS Sabin... Terra's thoughts began to trail off on their own and blur.

"I guess there is no avoiding this!" Sabin said sadly, and stood in a fighting stance. Vargas laughed some more.

"Fate made us train together, and fate will send you...to your doom!" Vargas declared. "Doom Fist!" With that, Vargas made a few motions and signals with his hands, directing them at Sabin and keeping his dark eyes locked on Sabin's baby blues the whole time. Suddenly, Sabin gasped, feeling as if he had been punched in the stomach. He fell to his knees, and clutched at his chest. He couldn't breathe!

"You will perish in 20 seconds." Vargas said coolly, and locked eyes with Terra's defeated party. "And you, will be the next to go! I tire of your patheticness!" Vargas was about to cast his Doom Fist blitz again, when Sabin suddenly stood up, anger in his eyes. Vargas may have been able to attack from a distance, but that just meant that hand-to-hand combat was his weakness! Sabin kept the faults of his former friend in mind as he held up his right hand.

"Pummel!" Sabin cried. His right hand filled with a white holy light that quickly washed over his whole body. With a blinding leap, Sabin jumped at Vargas, showering him with multiple punches that went by so fast, nothing could define where one hand stopped and another began. Vargas cried out and fell to his knees, the light now leaving Sabin's body and covering Vargas'. Terra gasped when she realized that Vargas' body was beginning to disappear!

"He....he taught you that one already?" Vargas moaned, doubling over.

"If only you hadn't have been in such a rush for power..." Sabin trailed off, and turned his back to Vargas. With a final cry of shock and envy, Vargas disappeared, with nothing remaining of his presence except for the metal knuckle he had worn on his left fist. Sabin took a deep breath and sighed. All of Vargas' blitz spells had been broken.

Terra stood up, surprised that the cold feeling over her body had disappeared. Locke and Edgar soon followed, brushing off their clothing and Locke adjusting his bandana. They only suffered from bruises and confused hearts from the battle that just took place. Edgar, however, was getting a warm sensation in his chest as he looked Sabin up and down. It was almost like looking into a mirror...

"Sabin!" Edgar cried, and began to run to Sabin. He threw his arms around him, and Sabin widened his eyes, hesitantly embracing Edgar. The two really did look like mirror reflections of each other, Terra noted. However, it was clear that Sabin got out a lot more then Edgar, for he was leaner, tanner, and his hair was cut and dried out from the sun.

"Big brother..." Sabin trailed off. Locke grinned and jumped in the air.

"The Figaro brothers are reunited!" He exclaimed, and Terra also smiled, clapping her hands together. However, she was surprised.

"He's the younger brother!?" She cried. "At first glance...I thought he was a bodybuilder who had strayed from his gym..." Terra blinked as Sabin laughed and released Edgar.

"I'll take that as a compliment!" He exclaimed, and suddenly, Terra felt very stupid for commenting at all. Sabin looked to Edgar and tilted his head. "Anyway, brother, what are you doing here?"

"We're on our way to the Sabil Mountains..." Edgar trailed off.

"To the Returner's Hideout, no doubt?" Sabin asked, and Edgar nodded.

"You know about the Returners and your brother?" Locke asked. Sabin looked to him and nodded sadly, looking down.

"I've been watching from afar...hoping that the world might regain some sanity. At this rate, Figaro will be reduced to a puppet state..." Sabin trailed off.

"But our time to strike back has arrived!" Edgar cried. "The Empire...is going to pay for what it has done!" Sabin looked up to Edgar, and for a moment, Locke and Terra felt left out...it was as if the Figaro brothers had a secret...

"Think...a bear like me could help you in your fight?" Sabin asked, and Edgar gasped.

"You would join us, Sabin?" He exclaimed happily.

"I think...Duncan would rest easier if he knew his disciple played a part in bringing peace to the world..." Sabin smiled and reached down, picking up the metal knuckle Vargas had left behind. Flexing his fingers, he slipped it over his left hand. It was a perfect fit.

"Then lets get going!" Locke exclaimed. Sabin nodded, and they began to walk down the path together as a new party of 4.

"I'm Sabin Rene Figaro!" Sabin said. "And you are...?"

"World-Renowned Treasure Hunter and Returner Locke Cole!" Locke said proudly, and both Terra and Edgar raised their eyebrows.

"You mean thief!" Terra pointed out and Locke nearly tripped on the path. Edgar and Sabin both laughed, and Sabin peered at Terra.

"And who are you...?" He asked. "Surely, you are not one of Edgar's girlfriends...you look way too pretty and smart..." Terra giggled as Edgar nearly followed Locke in tripping.

"I am Terra..." She said, and looked down at her hands. It was all she could really tell him that she was sure of. However, Sabin did not pressure her for more information, for which she was grateful.

"Well, nice to meet you both, Terra, and Locke." Sabin said. "But Terra...you never told me...are you Edgar's girlfriend, or not?" Terra blinked and crossed her arms over her chest.

"No way!" She said firmly, and Edgar reeled back in horror as the others walked on ahead of him.

"Hey, what is THAT supposed to mean?!" He called after them. When no one turned to reply, he put his hands on his hips and made a face.

"Come, brother, you're going to be left behind!" Sabin called, and smiled. Edgar couldn't help but smile back, and began to run after the others. His heart was full of confidence and pride. With his own brother on their side, the Returners couldn't lose! And...

....The Empire would be paid back for the horrible crime they committed against the Figaros...so long ago...

**********

When the team arrived at the Sabil Mountain Range, they were immediately greeted by a young man dressed in leather with a pair of eye goggles pushed up in his hair to stay out of his face when not needed.

"King Edgar!" He exclaimed, running to the group. "This way, please!"

"Hello!" Edgar said. "Please take us right to Banon."

The young man led the group to the mouth of a cavern and entered, waving to other men who were dressed like him as he passed through a few rooms and tunnels. Crates and pots lined some of the walls, while other rooms had beds and tables. Terra could even smell something wonderful cooking from another room not too far away. Although it was dim inside the halls, lots of rooms were brightly lit with oil lamps and filled with the commotion of friendly voices.

"...This is it." The man said, and opened a new doorway that they had come to. Terra went in first, and saw that it was a simple, small room, with a cot in the corner for a bed, a table with two chairs, and a couple of sets of bookshelves filled with books. Sitting at the table was an elderly man with wild red hair that seemed to go every which way, wearing clean-pressed robes and reading a book. He looked up and took off his reading glasses, setting them on the table and standing up.

"Banon!" Edgar exclaimed happily. "We brought the girl with us..." Terra blinked and looked at the man again. This was Banon?

"Is she the girl...who can talk to Espers?" Banon asked, as he approached them slowly.

"....Espers...?" Terra trailed off.

"It seems like the Empire had complete control over her." Edgar said, resting a hand on Terra's shoulder.

"Carrier pigeons brought word that she wiped out 50 of the Empire's best soldiers in a few minutes." Banon began, but Terra gasped and shook her head.

"That's a LIE!" She screamed, tears springing to her eyes. No, there was no way that could have been her! She jerked away from Edgar and covered her face, burning with embarrassment and shame.

"Terra...!" Locke said softly.

"Banon, she doesn't remember ANYTHING." Edgar explained. He was about to approach the old man, but Banon held out his hand and shook his head.

"Stay where you are!" He demanded. Banon then walked up to Terra, who peeked between her fingers and eventually lowered her hands, tears pouring down her cheeks.

"Perhaps...you have heard this story?" Banon asked, and spoke directly to her. "Once, when people were pure and innocent, there was a box they were told never to open. But one man went and opened it anyway. He unleashed all the evils of the world: envy... greed... pride... violence... control... All that was left in the box was a single ray of light: Hope."

Terra blinked and didn't say anything in reply.

"We now confront...those evils." Banon said, looking to the rest of the group. Locke and Edgar looked at each other, and Banon then gazed back to Terra. "And you are the last ray of light, our only hope..." Terra widened her eyes and lowered her head. She didn't know how to reply.

"Banon!" Edgar said coolly, but Banon shook his head.

"I'm so tired...let me rest a while." Banon said, and left the room, pushing through Locke and Edgar. Terra was about to open her mouth to speak, but Locke stopped her.

"Lets get some rest for ourselves." Locke suggested.

**********

A few hours later, Terra awoke from her nap in the guest room some of the other Returners provided for her and spotted Locke sleeping in the chair next to her cot that she was sleeping on. She smiled and little and pushed some of her hair our of her eyes. As she was creeping out of the cot, Locke suddenly looked up and let out a loud yawn, making Terra laugh.

"Sleep well?" He asked, and Terra nodded.

"What about you?" She questioned. "That chair doesn't look comfortable!"

"Heh, my special talent is that I can sleep anywhere." Locke joked. "My favorite place is in fields though. Nice, warm, sun-kissed fields are the best place ever...to sleep!" Terra laughed again, and Locke laughed with her.

"It's good to see you smile." He said. "Don't mind Banon, he's not trying to pressure you into anything. Anyone who joins the Returners does it for their own reasons. He didn't force one of us here against our wills..."

"Locke." Terra said, interrupting him and turning serious. "Why...did you join the Returners...?" Locke blinked and turned serious himself.

"Someone important to me was jailed by the Empire. I've hated the Empire ever since... I joined the Returners when I realized the Empire was rotten to the core. I wanted to make...a difference." Terra sighed and wrapped her arms around herself.

"But I have no significant "other" in my life..." Locke stood up and shook his head.

"That's not entirely true." Locke said firmly. "Besides, I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who feel YOU'RE important to them! They are counting on you..." Terra sighed. She didn't know how much more she could take of people telling her how very important she was when she knew she really wasn't. How could anyone have faith in a girl who couldn't even remember her own name without struggling?

Terra left the room and ran into Sabin, who was joking around with another Returner. He smiled at Terra and gave her a pat on the back that nearly made her fall over.

"The only thing I could add is that you can trust my brother implicitly." He said. "He's always been fair with me. You can trust him Terra...but..." Terra widened her eyes, and Sabin suddenly burst out laughing. "Don't you DARE tell him I said that!" Sabin continued to laugh as Terra smiled weakly and moved on, going into a room filled with cots and pots of medicines. This must have been the resting quarters. Terra spotted Edgar resting on a bed, and gave a little wave as he looked over to her.

"Hi Terra!" He smiled. "Feeling better?"

"Yes." She said, and nodded. "Thank you." Edgar nodded back and sighed, looking up at the ceiling.

"It's gonna be tough to talk you into helping us... If we push too hard, we're no different than the Empire. So we want you to make up your own mind, alright?" Terra blinked.

"How...did you know I was going to ask you about that, Edgar?" She asked. Edgar smiled and closed his eyes.

"Well, Terra, this may sound like boasting...but I suppose I have been blessed with many natural talents...which include charming the ladies, charming the politicians..." He laughed and went on. "I'm also a bit psychic!" Edgar grinned and opened his eyes to see Terra's reaction, but she was gone.

".....Eh?" He blinked and looked around. "Terra, where did you go?"

"Whew." Terra murmured as she slipped out of the resting quarters. "Didn't think I could escape something like that." She went down another hallway and ran into two more Returners, who both smiled at her and waved.

"We're a small organization now, but our membership is soaring!" One exclaimed.

"Please join us in our battle." The other added. Another Returner came up from behind Terra with a few datasheets in his hands, and sighed as he pushed past her and handed them to the two who were talking.

"The Empire is arresting Returners everywhere." He explained to them as Terra walked away. "We need to discover some means of fighting back, or..."

Terra shivered. She needed to go outside. She made her way to the hideout entrance, only to see Banon sitting outside on a flat rock. Terra gulped and walked over to him, giving him a slight bow. He looked to her and nodded.

"What brings you out here?" Banon asked. Terra shrugged and shook her head.

"I see." Banon said. He didn't waste time with small talk though. He got right to the point. "Have you made a decision? Will you become our last ray of hope?" Terra blinked and felt tears gathering in her eyes.

"...No!" She cried. But Terra suddenly became very embarrassed at her outburst and turned, fleeing inside the hideout again. She sighed and pressed herself against a wall, her chest heaving up and down from her struggled breathing.

"What am I going to do...what am I going to do?!" She whispered. Suddenly, Banon came into the hall calling out for help. Terra gasped as a few Returners rushed passed her to the entrance of the cave, including Locke, Sabin, and Edgar.

"Come on!" Edgar cried, grabbing Terra's arm to pull her along. When they reached the hideout entrance though, Terra gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

A badly wounded man had collapsed in the entrance way, covered in blood and gashes. He let out a soft moan and cringed as he struggled to speak, but no sound came.

"What's going on, what happened?" Banon cried.

"Someone did a number on him..." Locke murmured.

"Hurry, treat his wounds immediately!" A female Returner exclaimed. "He'll be ok! Banon, sir, if you'll excuse us, you really should not be in our way."

"Oh, of course." Banon said, and gestured for Terra, Locke, Edgar, and Sabin to follow him. They entered a conference room and all sat down, Banon last. Everyone looked up to him as he spoke. A few Returners who were not helping out with the rescue slipped in at the last minute to listen as well.

"....Well, that looked like the doing of Magitek Armor." Banon began, and sighed. "We all know that the Empire is using Magitek power in battle. The point is, how has the Emperor created it?"

"I had Locke look into the rumor that the Empire has forced the world's finest scholars to study Espers." Edgar said.

"And it's true, for the most part." Locke said. "All the trouble in Narshe is over an Esper too, which just makes me more suspicious..."

"You mean there is some connection between Espers and Magitek?" Terra questioned.

"I...can only think of one connection remotely similar to what is happening now..." Banon trailed off.

"You don't mean..." Edgar gasped.

"Indeed!" Banon said. "The ancient War of the Magi, in which Espers and Magitek powers were also in conflict..."

"No!" One Returner cried.

"It can't be!"

"My Grandma used to tell me stories about magical machines..." Locke began, and leaned back in his seat. "Could they have been true?"

"Could that ancient tragedy be playing out once again?" Edgar questioned.

"It's just speculation." Banon said. "But historical studies have provided a number of conflicting and frightening theories... According to one theory, humans and machines were imbued with powers drained from Espers... "

"That could explain Magitek power..." Terra said thoughtfully.

"But we can only fight Magitek enemies with Magitek weapons!" Edgar protested.

"It is risky." Banon said. "But if we could have Terra speak with that Esper, perhaps, it would wake up..."

"I am wondering if that is wise, sir." Edgar said.

"Who can say?" Banon replied. "Regardless, we need Terra's help..." Locke stood up and placed his hands on Terra's shoulders.

"Terra..." He trailed off. Terra looked back at Locke and put on a small smile.

"Someone important to me was jailed by the Empire. I've hated the Empire ever since... I joined the Returners when I realized the Empire was rotten to the core. I wanted to make...a difference."

"The only thing I could add is that you can trust my brother implicitly." He said. "He's always been fair with me. You can trust him Terra..."

"Please join us in our battle!"

All of these people...they want to fight....fight against something that isn't right at all! Terra thought to herself. More sacrifices may be made....if I do not help out as well. They saved me from harm in Narshe...

"I'll do it!" Terra exclaimed. Everyone smiled and Banon let out a sigh of relief, but Sabin smirked and leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the table.

"Nonsense!" He smirked. "You sound as if you are enjoying this..."

Suddenly, there was the sound of a door opening, and a Returner rushed into the conference room.

"Emergency sir, another messenger has come back wounded."

"What?!" Banon rushed out of the conference room, Terra, Locke, Edgar, and Sabin on his heals. Another man was in the entrance way of the hideout, however, he was holding his arm, which appeared to be the only thing injured.

"South Figaro..." He moaned. "South Figaro has been taken by the Empire...and they are heading this way!"

"They found us...We haven't a moment to lose!" Banon cried.

"Locke!" Edgar exclaimed, and Locke smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I know... "Someone" has to sneak down into South Figaro and slow the Empire down, right?"

"Why, that's right up your alley!" Edgar exclaimed, and Locke tried not to laugh during this serious period.

"Terra." Locke said, turning to her. "Please wait for me in Narshe. And also, don't let a lecherous young king, who shall remain nameless, near you!"

"Locke!" Edgar exclaimed, blushing crazily. "Erm...good luck."

"...Big brother..." Sabin shook his head. Aren't you ever going to grow up?" With that, Locke gave a wave, and took off running out of the hideout, disappearing in moments. Terra watched him until Edgar spoke, making her attention go to him.

"What are we going to do?" Edgar asked.

"We'll escape down the Lete River, and make our way to Narshe that way." Banon explained quickly. "I want to see that Esper for myself..."

"Right, and there is a raft by the back entrance of this place?" Edgar asked, and Banon nodded. "It's a gamble, but we are fresh out of options..." Edgar turned to Terra. "You're in danger here. Come with us to Narshe. You'll probably even gain some understanding of your own abilities..."

"We have no time to dilly-dally!" Banon cried, heading for the back entrance of the Returner's Hideout. "We must hurry to Narshe now!"