Words left unspoken
Sorry about the slight delay, I was staying at my sisters and couldn't get to a computer to write this up. Plus my other, younger sister is on the internet a lot now (I introduced her to this site) so I couldn't post it straight away (finished writing it up Saturday). But I hope you like the chapter. There's now only three left (I'm doing the epilogue in two parts, a reason I'll explain later) and if you're interested in knowing what the sequels about, a summary is in my profile.
Just wondering though, does anyone know how to beat a Mega Tonberry? I'm stuck! And it's really annoying. I will worship the person who helps me!
Anyway…the thoughts of this chapter are Rikku's, talking to Gippal in her mind. Gippal's thoughts will be back in the next chapter for the final showdown. Oops, said too much…lol. The flashback of Gippals is a little strange I know because he's so young in it but acting grown up, but I figured he would be like that after how he's lived so far, but if its too unrealistic do let me know. Also, I'm back at college now; but I'll try to update as quick as possible still! Hope you enjoy!
rikku-thief: lol, I'm being evil with the cliffhangers now. Sorry about that. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Shakai: well, Gippal has inherited Sin's toxin in his system from Cameo, and because its so strong it helps to defeat any other viruses he gets. Therefore it acts like a cure foe him. As for what Cameo is planning, that will be in the sequel, the main storyline for it actually. And of course he'll save the day, lol, this is me writing here. The sequel will be centered around Gippal again (and Rikku) but Paine will have a part, and you'll learn more about her past…maybe. And yeah I'll be doing the other fic first (written some already) but I have to finish a new soul first. I'm getting ideas for it again now that I have my game back. Lol, you'll see what happens, hope you enjoy! And its good to be hyper!
babiixwolf: I do that because its easier if she doesn't. But at first I was going to make her notice but leave anyway, but I doubt she would have done it then. Like a movie? Cool! Thanks. Sorry for the slight delay in update, blame my sister for stealing the internet.
asga: you do? Phew, I was worried about him, can't do his speech too well. Yeah, lots of cliffies I'm afraid, another one here too, though not as bad as the last one.
DarkenedPetals: not sure if there's a line like that in this chapter, mostly to much action to include it, though Gippal does say some stuff to annoy…someone. You'll see who. Lol, I couldn't resist leaving it with the red button.
kairiyuna: update when you can! I'll be there to read it when you do.
FairyIce: glad you feel that way, I wanted people to sympathise with him a little, and see why Gippal will be effected the way he is later. Lol, hope you enjoy!
iironiiccliiche: he does? Whoops. Don't worry Gippal will be the hero, and he has the chance to save rikku is this chapter (and later). Although I'm not sure how I can stop him being 'wimpy' because it is his childhood terror he's facing, but I think did alright, tell me if you don't like it though and I'll try and fix it. and its kinda weird you said that really, lol, because before I got your review I'd written the beginning of this chapter already, and RIkku does admit exactly that. Hope you like!
Crystalz Tearz: I know, I'm sorry. Lots of cliffies, but it just makes the ending more dramatic. There's a summary of the sequel in my profile now, doesn't give away a lot, but I don't want to spoil it. anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter!
atcw1210: thanks, I'm glad you like it. and thanks for the English comment! Its good to hear cause I'm taking both English subjects at A-level.
doodle: glad you like! Here's more!
Together
If there's one thing I truly know about machina, it's that the red button is never a good thing. Especially when someone you don't like is pushing it.
You taught me that, you told me a lot of stuff about fights as well. You even admitted to me once that I was by far the better fighter. Once.
But standing there in front of your dad I wasn't so sure anymore. You had to stay alive with him for six years; you had to fight everyday for survival. And now I have to fight for you, but it's strange. I…I just never realised how much he looks like you. He looks like your double, but older with two eyes and an evil personality. How can I fight someone who looks so much like you, but yet doesn't?
In a way Cameo gives me the same uneasy feeling the farplane does. He just doesn't seem…natural. He doesn't seem real, you know what I mean?
…I guess not, he will feel pretty real to you after the years you were with him. I can't even begin to imagine what you must have gone through, how terrifying it must have been living under his control. Even after a glimpse of him I feel so small and fragile, as though I'm a helpless kid again.
Oh Gippal. I wish you were here with me, but it wouldn't be fair if you were. You've been through enough. You've defeated him once and now it's my turn. You can't save me anymore.
Because I'm not small anymore, I'm not helpless. And even though I want to stop fighting and settle down, I know I need to do this first. I have to fight for you, I have to be strong.
Because I'm Rikku.
I've been a guardian. I've been a Gullwing. I've been an Al Bhed Princess. But most of all, I've been yours, and I will show you just how much I love you, how much we need each other.
Forgive me for leaving you behind. Forgive me for having to fight the man that was once your father. Forgive me. But I need you Gippal, I won't let this poison take you from me. And I won't let the memory of the man make you lose your mind.
He can't have you, you're mine. And I will fight for that. No matter what the cost. No matter how small he makes people feel.
Forgive me.
I love you…
…And I don't want to lose you again. I won't let anything drive us apart.
Anything.
Rikku couldn't help but gulp as the machina shimmered into view. It wasn't large like the others, but instead Ronso height with a similar shaped body. Yet Rikku knew it would be a lot stronger, stronger than anything she had ever faced. And it wasn't just because of the strong metal it was built with.
It can go invisible Rikku realised with a wave of horror. Oh fayth, it can go invisible.
"H-how?"
"Impressive, isn't it?" The man smirked, a smile that would have been similar to Gippals if not for the coldness in Cameo's eyes. "Do you want to know how it happens?"
"Err…sure." Rikku agreed, deciding to use the time to come up with a new strategy. "Is it the reason you had to come here to develop it?"
"Oh no, not the invisibility itself. I came here for the structure of the machina and a way to manipulate my genius invention more easily. But the coat of alchemy work which enables the invisibility is much more unique, even more than that of Zanarkand.
"You see, young princess, I being a genius have managed to create a thick substance that can be used as a coat of paint. Now whatever it is applied to can cause light to bend away from the object; in other words, become invisible to the naked eye.
"But…" He continued before Rikku could interrupt. "You're probably seen the fault in this, for if you were to apply this wondrous substance then the object would remain permanently invisible. And in order to fix this is another reason I needed to come here."
"Is this about your theory about those mach-things?" Cid coughed as he struggled to his feet, moving to stand beside his daughter.
"Mini-machs." Cameo corrected, looking slightly annoyed. "And how you laughed at my idea! But now you can see it has become reality.
"You see Rikku; mini-machs are very very small machinas which I have developed in order to use as an on/off switch for the substance. Why do this? Well, it was a lot easier to build when I could see it, but are other reasons. Mainly I just like to toy with me enemies, give them a little hope before pushing the red button.
"Now, shall we begin?"
"What do you mean he's gone?" Brother demanded; then softened his tone when reminding himself who he was talking to. "Did someone take him?"
"I don't know." Yuna admitted. "I…I wasn't watching over him properly."
"Yuna, this isn't your fault." Tidus assured her. "He might have woken up. Or one of the Ronsos might have just moved him. Either way, I'm sure Kimahri will know more once he returns." Yuna smiled weakly at this, taking hold of his hand for reassurance.
"I just wish I hadn't promised I'd wait another twenty five minutes." She said quietly. "And I dread to think what Rikku will do once she learns I lost him."
"Not lost." Kimahri interrupted as he stepped into the tent. "Taken. Taken by Garik."
"Can you go a little faster?" Gippal complained weakly within the Ronso's arms.
"Garik going as fast as he can." He growled back, regretting ever getting involved with the Al Bhed family. For he could now easily see the resemblance between this Gippal person and the man in Zanarkand.
"He said to come alone?" Gippal asked, wanting to remain awake.
"First time, but Garik went again just before Gippal arrived. He told me to bring you once you woke up."
"And why are you following his orders?" Gippal demanded.
"Garik wants man to leave; he will do so once you meet him." Garik told him; pausing his trek up the mountains when a Killer Hound attacked him. He carefully set Gippal on the floor; who's body still hadn't fully recovered, and pulled out his lance. "Stay down." The Ronso instructed. Gippal just nodded, too tired to argue.
The battle was easy enough, but during it the fiend had tried to take a swipe at Gippal. Garik had instantly cast Might Guard after this near-miss.
"Luum." (Cool.) Gippal muttered as Garik delivered the final low. "Hey, can I ask you a favour?"
"Garik does no favours." The Ronso replied.
"Okay then, I'll just do it anyway." Gippal muttered, transforming into his Gun Mage dressphere while Garik picked him up. Next time the Ronso used his Mighty Guard Gippal wanted to make sure he learnt it. It would come in great use against the man later.
I'm coming Rikku, just hold on.
Rikku knew she couldn't dodge the machina while in her thief dressphere, not with how fast it moved.
I'm gonna be defeated on its first turn. She realised, groaning. It's too…
"Always interfering, Cid." Cameo snarled as Cid cried out in pain and collapsed to the floor, having jumped in front of Rikku to take the impact of the attack.
Rikku wasted no time before changing her dressphere into the faster Berserker. Survive now and cure pops later.
"Pops?" Rikku asked, and answered with a groan. At least he's alive.
"You have to be quicker than that I'm afraid." The man sighed in an almost mournful tone. "Disappointing really, I haven't even activated the mini-machs."
Mini-machs? He sounds like a ten year old. Rikku's thoughts grumbled, but soon stopped with a 'whoa!' as she barely dodged another attack. This machina was definitely fast.
"How about I help you a little?" The man smirked. "This machina has a blind spot on its right side. Just like your Al Bhed lover."
Come on Rikku, concentrate! She inwardly screamed, running a few paces as the machine swung at her once more. I can't even attack it!
But after another five minutes of dodging an opportunity arose, for the machina had paused to scan Rikku. She wasn't about to give up this chance.
"You're going down!" She boasted, flipping to the machina and delivering a high kick on its right side. "Owie!"
"Foolish child." The man snorted, overcome with laughter. "Its armour is Zanarkand material; a mere stinking Al Bhed foot will do no damage."
"Oui'na naymmo cdyndehk du delg sa uvv!" (You're really starting to tick me off!) Rikku growled while jumping out of the machina's path. Her foot was paining her, she wouldn't be as successful with dodging now, and it was her own silly fault.
I can't lose. I can't!
Gippal…
Rikku sighed, she couldn't keep dodging; she had to attack. And even if the next blow hit her, she had to risk it.
But attack how? Black Mage wouldn't work this time…it had to be something especially designed to penetrate armour.
A blind right side…
"Please do surprise me." Cameo smiled as he watched her begin to change dresspheres…
"…So the machine is about your height?" Gippal asked once more, causing the Ronso to growl again.
"Garik said so before." He managed to say without dropping him. They were going through the mountain now, and Gippal was able to feel his body again after the cold had numbed it.
Just checking." Gippal half grinned, trying to distract himself from his rising panic. "And the potion bottles?"
"Garik saw him mixing ingredients together then practicing attacks by throwing bottle in air and shooting it. It seemed very effective on nearby fiends." Garik told him. "He used this technique until his invisible attack worked."
"Fryd?" (What?) What invisible attack?" Gippal demanded harshly, surprising both of them. But he couldn't help it; the phrase had brought a painful memory to mind…
"Garik saw a fiend try to attack, and was killed by something Garik couldn't see. The Al Bhed man said it was his invention, something called a…"
"Mini-mach." Gippal finished with a shiver.
"Yes, Garik didn't like it."
This guy has visited the man a lot, weird. Gippal thought numby. A weird, stupid thought he knew, but any thought would do in order to stop the memories overtaking him. But unfortunately Garik had now gone quiet, and nothing could stop the past from always haunting him…
It was Gippal's fourth birthday, and they were currently hiding within the more… secluded parts of Luca. But Acacia had a plan to make sure Gippal got a birthday gift; a trip to the movie theatre.
"Is it true they have music there mum?" Gippal asked, performing a childish spin with a gleeful laugh. The young boy rarely got to act like the child he was, and he was determined to do it as much as possible. Only a child was truly innocent enough to have no worries.
"Yes, it is really a beautiful experience, and they allow Al Bhed in only at a certain time, so we must hurry before we miss it." His mother urged with a warm smile. Gippal just smiled up at her, running a nervous hand through his hair which was in desperate need for a cut. "Now come on before your father wakes up?"
"Ra'c hud so vydran." (He's not my father.) Gippal complained as always, but Acacia was too tired to argue with him. He would face the truth in the end.
"Acacia, where are you going?" Came a cold, annoyed voice. Gippal froze with fear but tried not to show it, a technique that never seemed to work.
"I wanted to take Gippal to the theatre and let him hear the music," Acacia informed him with a small quiver in her voice.
"He doesn't need that; I have another present for him. You go on your own." Came the order. Acacia wanted to protest, but Gippal knew it would only mean physical pain for her. He wouldn't put her through that just for music.
"You can tell me about it." He told her with a wide smile. "You'll make it sound better anyway mum."
"…Okay dear, have fun." Acacia eventually said, kissing both Gippal and her husband on the cheek. At that time Gippal didn't resent being alone with his 'father' too much. He hadn't started any beatings at that point in time.
"Your hair needs cutting, come here." The man demanded after Acacia had left. Gippal obediently moved towards him, trying not to gasp in fright at the sight of the knife in his hand. "I won't hurt you kid, now stop wasting time and sit down."
"H-how short will you make it?" Gippal asked politely. "It gets in the way when it's this long."
"Just shut up and let me cut it." The man almost growled. Gippal felt the knife go close to his scalp and cut a blonde mass off. "I'm going to show you something of great value boy, more so than your life. A great birthday gift." Gippal remained silent as the cutting continued, his hair cut away at different lengths making him look worse than before. Cameo definitely hadn't been a hairdresser back in his sane days, but Gippal knew better than to complain.
"Thank you sir." He said politely when it was obvious the man had finished. "It feels better now."
"Less of that, get up and come with me." The man told him, standing up and slipping his knife back into his belt. "And you better keep up."
Gippal was led out of their small (previously abandoned) house and forced to trot after the man through Luca's backstreets, trying to avoid catching anyone's eyes. Even here Al Bheds weren't welcomed.
"Wear this boy." The man told him, placing a Coyote fur onto his head. The fur was brown in colour, and shaped to act as a wig.
So that's why he cut my hair. Gippal thought with a heavy heart. He watched as the man placed a similar wig over own head.
"Why..?" Gippal began.
"Just do it!" The man growled, half raising his hand to strike him before rethinking. Gippal gasped at the near-action. He had never thought of hitting Gippal before; Acacia was another matter. "This is very important for you to see, so stop asking questions."
Gippal was silent after that, even when the man led him up the stairs leading to the blitzball sphere. They were going to see blitzball?
"May I see your tickets sir?" A polite young man asked. Cameo smiled and handed them over while Gippal wondered how he'd even paid how them. The young ticket collector didn't even ask about their racial background. "Enjoy the game!"
"We will." The man assured, with a smile Gippal knew wasn't good. He was planning something. Something destructive.
"Who's playing?" Gippal asked before he could stop himself.
"The Luca Goers against the Al Bhed Psyches" The man told him, a knowing smile forming on his face again. Gippal felt a cold shiver of dread run through him. Now he understood.
If the Al Bheds are playing then we'd have been allowed to see the game without a disguise. This is just so no one will recognise us…or so they can't find us afterwards.
They were sat in their seats now, watching as the large sphere was filled with water. All around them the crowd was eagerly awaiting for the blitz off. Gippal just wanted to stop time so it would never happen.
"Pay close attention boy, I'll only say this once." The man spoke as he pulled out a small trigger device from his pocket. "I'll give you a lesson on my new invention, a new age of machina." No more was said until the players had entered the sphere pool…and then the man grinned before speaking quietly over the cheering crowd.
"Last night I placed my newly designed samples of mini-machina samples on a trigger explosive at the bottom of the sphere. I had to use the sample because the technology I've used to make them came from Zanarkand Ruins, and I can't journey there again until I visit every temple."
This is how life had been up to that point, traveling to each temple, then being left in the Thunder Plains as the man carried on to Zanarkand to complete his own version of the pilgrimage. When he had returned they had traveled to Luca and stayed here now for three months.
"Anyway." The man interrupted his thoughts. "The reason you can't see this explosive it due to my new mix, which causes any light to bend away from the object it's coated upon. This makes it invisible to the naked eye, but my mini-machina's allow the explosive to stay usable despite being under such rough water conditions. It also stops any weapon from being able to destroy it, no ordinary bullet or blade can stop it."
"…But won't the screens around Luca still project them?" Gippal asked, even though he was young he had inherited his father's brain, despite how much he hated that fact.
"Yes, but they aren't focusing on where the explosive is. Players rarely go to the very bottom of the sphere."
"But that M-mini mach…" Gippal began, but stopped with a gasp as a player was slammed into the crowd.
"Mini-mach?" The man chuckled. "I like the sound of that."
"But you'll kill them! And the water will…"
"It won't reach this high up." The man said calmly, a smile still on his face. "Just watch and enjoy your birthday present."
The first thought Gippal had was to beg him not to, but he knew that would be pointless. He could think of only one other choice…
"C-can I see it?" He asked, watching as the man frowned in shock. However after a moment he smiled again and pulled out a pair of machina binoculars. Gippal gave a half smile as he took them, placing it up to his face. It didn't take long to see the explosive, visible through the enhanced vision. "I-it's very big." Gippal gulped. "How did you get it there?"
"Never you mind that, just enjoy the game."
Yeah, sure Gippal's panicked mind mumbled. There had to be another way…
But there wasn't, it was this plan or let it explode. But if he wasn't careful his plan might set it off too.
I have to do it before he will realise, then the trigger will be useless. I'll do it when they score, I have to.
"What is Gippal thinking?" Garik interrupted, making the Al Bhed smile as a plan began to form.
"I was just thinking of how I can stop the invisible machine." He said, his voice sounding calm while his heart raced in anticipation.
I'm coming Rikku…
I'm coming dad.
The man blinked lazily at Rikku's new dressphere, trying to suppress a disappointed yawn.
"Silly girl, how will that little gun help you?" He asked, no longer smirking. He had really been expecting more from this girl, but she was proving to be a disappointment.
Damnit! Wrong outfit! Rikku realised, gazing down at her Gunner dressphere. I need my Gun Mage one!
"Don't tell me you have cost me some entertainment by a stupid mistake." The man sighed, but Rikku didn't bother replying, not when the machina was readying another strike.
Okay, not what I wanted, but I hope this still works…
She didn't have time to aim properly, not with the speed it was approaching. So instead Rikku muttered a silent prayer and fired…
The machina paused then when the bullet hit, and she heard Cameo curse loudly. The Cheap Shot bullet had caused some damage, not much but some. He didn't seem to like that. And so he pressed that damn red button again.
"You can't hit it if you can't see." The man growled.
"Cheater!" Rikku yelled, gripping her gun tightly and straining her ears. If only she had Gippal's hearing…
"I was merely giving you a fighting chance earlier, now we shall see how long you can survive in a big fight alone." The man chuckled, louder than necessary.
He's doing it on purpose so I can't hear the machina! Rikku realised, but then heard a definite movement to her right. She fired off a bullet, which shot off across the ruins.
"You're so predictable." The man laughed as Rikku was hit on the left, crying out in pain. "I doubt you can move now, and you won't have time to heal yourself young princess. I am through playing, and the next attack will end you."
No! She half wept in her head, the pain on her left side too severe to dare move around, to even try fighting anymore.
Gippal, I'm so sorry.
And then she heard a loud explosion close by.
Gippal drew out his gun, given to him by his mother for protection. But unknown to anyone else he had received special armour break bullets from a sympathetic Lucan a few weeks ago. Now they would save the lives of a lot of people.
"SCORE!" Shouted the commentator, which made Gippal gulp nervously. The man was distracted from his son's movements for a few seconds. It was long enough.
Gippal fired.
"W-what was that?" The commentator and a lot of the crowd shouted. Gippal ignored them, looking through the binoculars to see if his aim was true. Had it worked? Had he hit the explosive in the right area to disable it completely?
"O-OUI PYCDYNT! FRYD RYJA OUI TUHA OUI VEMDRO LNAYDINA!" (Y-YOU BASTARD! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE YOU FILTHY CREATURE!) Cameo screamed beside him. Gippal guessed it had worked then. The trigger was useless. And now the cameras would be focused on where the bullet had hit, so the whole of Luca could see it.
"…exit the sphere area for your own safety." Came the commentator over the hysterical noises. Gippal didn't waste anymore time, he ran for the nearest exit before the man could do anything else.
"KAD PYLG RANA! E'S KUEHK DU GEMM OUI!" (GET BACK HERE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!) Gippal found himself sobbing in terror, running as fast as he could through the other people around him. He had to find his mother before the man caught up…
Gippal cried out in utter terror and despair when he felt a hand grab him. A sound that shocked the people around him despite the explosive alert. It was that awful and gut wrenching to hear.
"Get a grip boy!" The man hissed angrily, dragging him back to the more secluded area of Luca. Gippal was still sobbing helplessly, his throat hoarse from the inhuman cry that was still escaping him.
He was dragged back to their house, and as soon as the door closed Cameo shut him up with a hard punch across his face. Gippal fell to the floor, still sobbing but now silently.
"I show you my plan, I include you! And you ruin everything! I don't care what Acacia feels for you, you are nothing but a nuisance, a dangerous one."
What happened next was something Gippal barely remembered afterwards, only the pain had registered. But he knew his mother had come home to find the man still beating him, and if she hadn't come then he would have died after another five minutes of the brutal torture. And since that day it hadn't been just Acacia he would beat regularly.
That day Gippal had tried to be a hero, and he learnt the consequences of it. It wasn't like the stories; it was real pain and real life.
He couldn't have a story, not yet. He had to survive the man first. He had to begin to live.
"I'm living now; you won't ruin it this time." Gippal muttered, gazing down at the Zanarkand ruins. It was his first time seeing the ruins, but he wasn't in the mood for sight seeing. He had an appointment to keep.
He had a promise to live through.
We'll fight together.
"Thanks for the help blue guy; I'll take it from here."
Rikku forced herself to shift her body slightly in order to see what had happened. Had she really just heard a giant voice? It was so smoky, what happened?
"Damn you Cid! Why don't you ever die!" The man cursed loudly, and then Rikku heard that loud voice again.
"You took Lidea from me, you won't take Rikku!" It was Cid's voice, his voice coming out from a speaker…
Oh fayth he's in the Celsius! He fired missiles on the machina by seeing its location with the sensors.
"Your missiles can't destroy it Cid, the material is stronger than anything you have ever used. Granted you did some damage; but not enough to save your daughter." He actually sounded apologetic, and Rikku hated that, because it made her harder to hate him, yet…
Took Lidea? H-he killed mum..?
"What the..?" Came Cid's surprised voice just before Rikku heard the sound of metal crunching. "KAD OUIN RYHTC UVV SO PUO'C YENCREB!" (GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY BOY'S AIRSHIP!)
Brother's not going to be happy. Rikku thought while she rummaged about for an Elixir. She didn't want to risk just using an X-potion in case she'd been poisoned too. But there was no way she was giving up now, not when she had another chance.
"Too late." Came a cold voice from behind her, she groaned in pain as she turned her head. The man was there, watching her. She glared at him.
"Did you really kill my mother?" She asked while fumbling with the lid of the Elixir.
"I saved her soul from eternal punishment over what she was, just as I will save you."
"The hell you will!" Rikku screamed, showering herself with the item, feeling her pain instantly vanish.
"Your determination is admirable, but you are still too late." The man told her blankly, and it was then she turned to hear the invisible machina rush towards her.
Where is it? She asked aiming her gun in frantic desperation. But before she could pull the trigger she felt the 'whoosh' of the attack come down on her…
And hit a barrier, the attack now only causing her some slight damage.
"Your timing is amazing, as always." Cameo said suddenly, no longer looking at Rikku but to her left. Rikku took in a deep breath before turning her head, climbing shakily to her feet. And as soon as she saw who stood there she couldn't stop a wide grin infecting her face.
"And I see you still like to hurt gorgeous women." Gippal spoke up, his voice shockingly cold, just like Cameos. This thought made Rikku shiver in horror, but then she noticed him look at him and his expression soften. "Are you okay?"
"How?" She asked. "The coma…"
"I'll explain later, but you don't need to get an antidote from him now. So let's end this." Rikku nodded, and moved over to stand beside him. It felt so natural to her, standing by his side.
"Kid! There's an invisible machina running about!" Came Cid's voice, now out of the badly damaged airship and instead positioned on top of it.
"I heard." Gippal smirked, which gave Rikku a new boost of confused confidence. "And I've already stopped this trick once before."
"Don't bother boy." Cameo said with s stony face. "I have mended its weakness; your lover has already seen it is not effective enough to harm it."
"Not when it's invisible." Gippal agreed, copying a cold smirk his father had worn earlier. "But you're not the only genius here, especially not in alchemy." Gippal was holding up a potion bottle now, one which looked ordinary to Rikku, but it made Cameo's face pale.
"You can't have…" He trailed off. Gippal just shrugged and threw the bottle into the air while his father ran off away from their position (to Rikku's surprise).
"This might sting a little." Gippal warned her, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze before aiming his gun and firing. The contents of the bottle showered around them, and Rikku gasped in pain at the small electric shock she received. What was going on?
A few moments went by before she began to see the machina shimmer into life, and it looked a little ruffled. After all, it had no barrier around it, and no matter how tough its armour the mini-machs were too tiny and delicate not to have been effected. The machina could no longer do its disappearing act.
"Dryd'c paddan." (That's better.) Rikku praised, quickly changing into her own Gun Mage dressphere. She was a little disappointed no one else was here to see them; they were probably very cute in matching dresspheres.
"It will be slowed down now." Gippal told her with the confident cocky grin she loved so much. "Can you handle it?"
"You bet!" She told him with a giggle. "You going after him?"
"Naturally…this is it Kuey, you ready?"
"Oh yeah." Rikku answered, twirling her gun and striking a pose. "We're gonna win this!"
"Together." Gippal agreed. And then they attacked.