Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews as always. I go back and forth whether or not I like this story of mine. Feel free to put in your thoughts and whether or not I'm portraying your favorite characters correctly. Thanks again.

Chapter Five

Treasures, Tenderness and Traveling

Part I: The Dragon Hunters
Part II: Relm's Scar
Part III: Three's Company

Part I – The Dragon Hunters

The sky from above looks like a heavily stratified scoop of ice cream, layered from an orange sherbet to a chocolate covered topping. The clouds below were creamy and puffy, like cotton candy. The air tasted like all this confectionary. Locke Cole loved to breathe it in.

He was leaning carelessly over the railings of the Phoenix, his own airship. He'd look down towards the planet and wonder how far it was and how long it would take to fall. Although the wind is always blowing in the high skies, it was abnormally calm this evening. Locke had nothing to look at other than the painting-like landscape below. He just sighed and let more air fill his lungs.

Inside was a woman sitting on a green leather couch. She was staring at a picture of a dragon given as a present, her hands holding the back of her head. She sighed. She was bored and evaluating her life. She was the wife of the man on the front deck. She was Celes Chere.

The two had married in what Edgar called, "an inevitable disaster." The main problem was they were too alike. They were both very private people, keeping their feelings and secrets deep within themselves. The others watched as they walked down the isle together, cheering them on, but they all knew the troubles the two had constantly had. Nonetheless, much to everyone's surprise, they remained married.

Many people wondered if they were truly in love. Most people said they were too stubborn to recognize a mistake. People speculate all kinds of things, but nobody saw what happened aboard the Phoenix. Perhaps that's what caused all the tension. The two supposed lovers were rarely on foot and the only way to get to them was via another airship. The two hermits would only have each other and fighting was inevitable.

And there was plenty of fighting, whether it was such silly things as hogging the sheets to sensitive things like feelings for old flames. The arguments got pretty heated and usually ended up in a pot being thrown across the room. Sometimes they'd even draw swords and fight out their aggression. Were they too stubborn to realize it was a mistake? An inevitable disaster?

Terra said it best when she said they were in love. She seemed so naïve, but knew exactly what was going on. She knew they'd fight, but there undivided love always brought them back together. Sometimes it would be just minutes, sometimes hours or days, maybe even weeks to months, but they'd always join hands in the end. They wouldn't necessarily apologize, being that they were incredibly stubborn, but they were willing to admit they couldn't stand to be without each other.

And thus they traveled the skies. The Phoenix was a wedding present given to them by Edgar and Setzer. It was and is still the fastest ship in the entire world. It was also their home.

Celes was along for the ride, but Locke was always hunting. She would've been fine had they picked a home and stayed still, but Locke was the one who couldn't stop moving. He just loved the fresh air and high skies so much. Celes did get one thing she enjoyed: fighting dragons.

Ever since the Day of Sovereignty, dragons have multiplied in number, possibly from all the disturbances from the Judgment of Light. It was no secret that dragons, although noble in nature, would stowaway all kinds of various treasure. The wise beasts just knew what was desired and would want it for them. Naturally, Locke being a Treasure Hunter and all, the high-flying duo sought out the creatures.

People found about Locke's misadventures pretty quick and started calling him something else, much to Locke's demise. He was called the Dragon Hunter. Locke usually corrected them, but it didn't make much difference. He didn't want to be thought as someone simply trying to kill dragons, creatures that he would honor if they weren't carrying such valuables. However, it worked out because people of little towns and villages would call on the two to help them exterminate dragons that had been terrorizing the vicinity. Locke couldn't miss out on the chance to see what the dragon carried, along with the splendors given from the town, and Celes couldn't wait to have a good fight with something other than her husband.

And so the odd couple continued their ways. They definitely weren't normal. If they would've had children, they might have been more willing to land and settle. Unfortunately, Celes was unable to conceive due to the genetic experimentation done on her. This was difficult. Sometimes she'd want to be a mom and give a child a proper living, which would only frustrate her further. Also, even though magic had ceased to exist, Celes swore she could feel the power of magic swimming in her veins. It was an odd feeling and often brought on uncontrollable mood swings. Locke was never prepared for them and always ended up saying the wrong thing.

Regardless of their many hardships, they had very few regrets. They still thought that getting married was the best choice they ever made. They would just continue their lives until some other bridge opened, taking them a new direction.

Part II – Relm's Scar

"How often do you get to hear Cyan singing drunken ballads?" Relm said, laughing happily.

"I don't think he's drunk," Celes said.

"I beg to differ. He's singing, dancing and even smiling like a little school boy."

"And what's so wrong with that?" Edgar asked, causing Relm to slightly blush.

"Yeah. You should be dancing too, Relm," Locke said.

"Me? Dancing? You're gonna have to get me drunk!"

"I can do that," Sabin said, grinning almost evilly.

"Sabin! She's only fifteen!" Terra said, shocked by Sabin's sarcastic statement.

"Sixteen now!" Relm corrected.

Edgar sat back in his chair, raising a hand to his chin. "I'd love to see you dance, Relm."

Again, she blushed.

Then, jumping over the crowd, Gau landed in front of Relm and took her hand. "Gau take Relm to dance!"

"Gau! No! That's kid stuff! I'm sixteen now!"

But before she could squeak out another shout, Gau had taken her to the center of the town where everyone, and Cyan, were dancing and singing. Gau just shook her arm, pleading for her to dance. She laughed and laughed, shaking her head. So Gau tried to dance himself. He looked like a crazy monkey and Relm made sure to point that out. Gau disagreed and showed her what a crazy monkey would look like. She fell on the ground laughing as Gau hopped on people's heads, even skipping over Cyan. Fortunately, the former retainer just laughed, being that he was so use to Gau's wild antics.

Gau came back proudly to a now laughing-so-hard-she-was-crying Relm. He was sure he had acted a crazy monkey out perfectly, but couldn't understand why everyone was laughing. He just thought he should laugh too. Gau helped Relm back to her feet and opened his hands as if it was her turn to do something.

"What?" Relm asked.

"You dance now."

"No, I won't."

Gau didn't look so happy anymore. "Why?"

"I mean…I can't."

"Relm pretty! Of course she can dance!" he replied, causing her to half-laugh.

"Well I am pretty…"

Gau leaned in.

"But I won't. Gau, I just can't dance!"

"If you no dance, then try crazy monkey!"

"What? You mean this?"

And Relm scratched her armpits. Gau shook his head and re-acted a toned-down version of his crazy monkey performance. Relm copied, laughing hysterically. Before she knew it, the two of them were dancing like crazy, wild monkeys and everyone was watching and laughing, some even joining in.

Then, after the insanity settled down, the nearby band of musicians started playing a lighter song. The group of legendaries stood up and began there ballet-like couple dancing as the kids sat down. King Edgar with the lovely Terra and her long, flowing green dress were the most magnificent dancers. The kids opened their mouths and childishly pointed at their tongues.

Relm couldn't be happier. All her friends were there, both new and old. She had a huge pile of presents stacked near her house. Her grandfather even seemed to be having a good time. Then she saw Tom, the boy she had had a crush on for several years. He lived just a few houses down from her.

"I saw you dancing," he said.

Naturally, she blushed. "I wasn't dancing, I was being stupid."

"That Gau is quite a character. Nearly knocked me down," he continued.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. He just gets caught up in the moment."

"Nah, I understand."

Then there was an awkward pause.

"So…" he started.

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to try your hand at actually dancing?"

She could barely contain herself. He was asking her to dance? She couldn't believe it nor could she believe her answer.

"I'd love to!"

Nice and cool, Relm. Nice and cool…

Fortunately, Tom just took her hand and brought her back with the adults. Suddenly, she was following his footsteps, trying not to trip on her own feet. They say dancing is an art. Relm highly disagreed. She never felt so embarrassed, constantly stepping on his feet and spinning the wrong direction. She felt even worse when she realized everyone else was given her that "awe, aren't they so cute" look. She didn't see Gau though.

When the song stopped, Tom politely kissed her on the forehead. Relm's face lit up like an ancient red magicite. Tom started off towards the other kids and Relm followed like a puppy to its master.

The day continued and Relm couldn't believe the attention she was getting. The sixteenth birthday is a special day for sure! Tom even started holding her hand in front of the others. He wasn't ashamed of being intimate with her! She felt so normal, regardless that Tom was moving a little surprisingly fast on her.

Then they opened the presents. She got all kinds of expensive things from the Legendaries, as expected, and silly things from the others. Afterwards, Tom asked her to walk just outside of the village, away from the prying eyes of the multitude of guards ensuring the safety of the party from the Hunters.

"I had a good time today," Tom said.

She stared at the ground, attempting to be cool. "Me too."

"I wanted to give you my present privately."

He pulled out a little box that was neatly wrapped. She took it slowly, her eyes gazing up at his perfect smile.

"I was so blind. I never knew you liked me until one of the others blurted it out," Tom said as she opened the package. "I thought about it and realized I liked you too. Silly how these things work out, isn't it?"

She pulled out what appeared to be a feather. It looked like she was going to cry.

"It's the feather from your old pen," he said.

"I know," she managed to choke out.

She used a pen to draw monsters that came to life. This feather had been on the back of the pen the entire time they attacked Kefka, but on the escape out of the crumbling tower, the feather came off.

"You like it?"

"How in this world did you find it?"

"This guy with a lot and I mean 'a lot' of yellow hair said you would like it," he answered.

"Who was he?"

"Why don't you ask him? He's right over there."

Relm looked to where Tom pointed.

"He said he couldn't get in town with all the security so I told him I'd take you out here. Figured you knew him."

But when the man came out from the shadows, it was nobody Relm recognized. Her heart skipped a beat. A trap?

"Don't be alarmed," the man said, noticeably limping on one leg.

"Who…are…you?"

"A man with a plan…" he said.

Relm swore she heard a sinister laugh in the back of his throat.

"You mean, you don't know this guy?" Tom finally started putting things together.

"No."

"Stand back, Relm!" And Tom stepped forward, taking out a knife he had strapped to his side. "Don't you come any closer!"

"Why…that's not a very respectable thing to say," the man replied. "Can't you see I'm wounded?"

Tom continued to hold the knife at the man's direction.

"I came to speak with Relm," he continued.

"Tell me who you are first," she demanded.

"In due time," he responded. "I hear you can make monsters by simply drawing them."

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, my dear child, is that not magic?"

"Yeah. I mean no. I don't know what it is. Why?"

"Magic doesn't exist anymore. So how can you possess such an ability?"

Tom was still holding the knife.

"I don't know. I'll gladly draw for you though."

He then let out a laugh that sounded way too close to Kefka's mechanical laugh. "You're such a bitch. The world cannot accept phenomenon, it is merely a flaw in the system. You will lead us to the revitalization of another Kefka, a Magi War that will destroy us all. I must cleanse the earth of your rotten filth, you legendary whore!"

"I've heard enough!"

Tom charged at the man, but the yellow-haired man parried the attempt with his walking staff. The man then managed a quick jab to Tom's stomach, making the kid fall to his knees. The man took his knife and stuck it in his chest, causing a blood-curdling scream from the child.

Relm was almost finished with a drawing. It was her favorite animal. It was strong and beautiful and made quickly. It was a white-haired Unicorn.

Suddenly, the creature was in the flesh. It snorted and glared at the man who had oddly put his hand on Tom's forehead. The man just smiled when he saw the Unicorn.

It charged him at lightening speed. The man made no attempt of dodging it and was stabbed by its horn. The man never stopped smiling and once the horn had entered his body, he disappeared into flames. The Unicorn seemed confused and trotted around Relm, who had already made her way to Tom.

Tom was heaving and crying.

"Don't worry, Tom," she said, frantically. "We'll find help. I promise. You are gonna be okay. I promise!"

"Relm," Tom said, a bit of blood coming out of his mouth. "I lied to you. I didn't like you…"

She held his head in her hands.

"…I loved you."

She was confused. Every emotion burned through her body. He was dying and fast. She just wanted to scream as loud as her vocal cords would allow, possibly even louder. Then, Tom's eyes got big.

"Watch out!"

He pushed her and all of a sudden, she felt a sting on her face. She felt pain and blood dripped into her right eye. It stung. Focusing through the red-tinted world, she noticed the Unicorn had done it and was now stabbing Tom with its horn. She was infuriated.

"What the holy-hell are you doing!" she shouted.

It turned its head towards her and started stomping the ground, throwing its head back. Why hadn't it disappeared yet? They never stay around this long. And then it charged her. She screamed from the complete mental breakdown of emotions she was feeling. Fortunately, another being pile-drived the animal and sent it flying. It was Gau. No sooner than the confused Unicorn hit the ground was Gau on top slashing away at it.

He killed it fast. He turned happily to show Relm that he had saved her, but she had already passed out.

Part III – Three's Company

Locke was still watching the horizon when he noticed a bird stressfully trying to get up to the ship. He went to the large steering wheel and pulled on a lever beside it. Slowly, the ship started losing altitude. Eventually, the bird managed to get on the railings, almost panting like a dog.

"I thought you were a carrier pigeon," Locke said. "From Figaro I would assume."

He took the note tied onto its leg off and opened it immediately, even though it was addressed to Locke and Celes. The bird flew away immediately.

Strago's sent out the invitations for Relm's 18th
Birthday. Of course, he didn't know where
you two were, so I figured I'd send you one.
It's in two days at the same time as the one
two years ago. We'll see you there, no doubt.
take it easy, friends.

King Edgar

Locke walked back inside and went to the sleep-room, as they called it.

"Celes."

She was still staring at the wall. "Yes."

"I guess it's time for the big One-Eight."

"Is it that time already?" she responded. "Guess you better turn the ship around."

"Obviously," Locke remarked. "Figured I'd tell you first."

"What? Feeling generous today?"

He smiled and rolled his eyes.

Below the engine room was a small shaft where pipes and engineers go when there's a problem. There was someone else down there that the two passengers above did not know about nor would they ever know. He was Shadow, one of the most elite Legendaries. He was sprawled out in the shaft, being that you couldn't even sit down there, catching a ride on the fast-flying Phoenix. He had no plans of going up and seeing what the private couple was doing and he definitely preferred not to hear their more affectionate times. So he just laid down there, eating some crackers he had taken for the journey. Then, the ship shook and started turning.

"It's about time," Shadow said.