Okay, this chapter is more of a filler than anything just so everything is explained if you know what I mean. This takes place 4 days after the last 'in game' chapter, and it more or less explains their next move. I didn't originally plan to post this chapter (or the next few 'in game' chapters), but I realized that I needed SOMETHING or else I would've gone from the Opera House to the World of Ruin. Wow, I couldn't do that because so many things would've been left out. Therefore, I figured out three chapters that are actually pretty important to the storyline of VI and Locke's character, so I typed them up. Well, I don't have the next 'in game' chapter finished, but I do have this one and another one done. (I actually am really fond of the way chapter 30 worked out!)

26. After Dining With the Emperor

Locke gritted his teeth in anger as he watched the Imperial guards escort Emperor Gestahl out of the dining hall of the Imperial Palace. He wanted to do something, anything to relieve his frustration, but he knew that he couldn't. I can't believe I just sat through three hours of Gestahl pulling the biggest charade ever…He thought to himself as he felt his blood boil.

Gestahl called in the Returners to discuss his future plans with them, and Locke couldn't believe a word that he said. He talked about peace between humans and Espers, and Locke's favorite part; informed them that the entire Imperial army, including himself, wanted to join the Returners. Locke half expected Gestahl to say that Kefka wanted to join as well, but Gestahl actually explained how Kefka was locked up in a cell and was going to remain there for a while. At least he can't pull any bullshit behind bars…Locke thought optimistically. That is…if they keep him there and aren't doing this as some kind of a ploy…

Terra put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a warm smile, motioning him to stand up. Ever since they found her again in Zozo, she seemed a little more reserved than usual. She still wore a smile on her face, but Locke saw the determined glow behind her eyes dim, much like embers of a dying fire. Locke couldn't help but pity the life that she had; not understanding who she was or how to use her powers. With a sigh, he reluctantly obeyed and followed her to one of the sides of the dining hall where Edgar was standing, making sure that they weren't being followed by any soldiers.

"Well guys, what do you think?" Edgar asked with an exhale as he crossed his arms and walked up to Locke and Terra, meeting them halfway. "Is the entire Imperial army just bullshitting us?"

"I'm not so sure," Terra said honestly as she shook her head. "I mean, he seemed quite sincere during the entire dinner so that's why I'm still debating. I didn't see him falter over his words or look nervous at all and I thought I was watching him pretty closely."

With a nod, Locke sighed. "I tried to get him to botch his spiel up somewhere by asking him random questions and making sure that he kept talking, but unfortunately, he was fine. He didn't even break a sentence and he kept a common theme."

"I just use the excuse that he's an excellent actor," Edgar said with a huff, causing Locke to chuckle and shake his head. "What? What did I say?"

"I think you're all too accurate, my friend," he explained, quickly looking around to make sure that soldiers weren't around to overhear him. "When I first met Celes, she said that she was an excellent actress because she was so used to lying and acting when it came to the Empire. She said it simply became a way of life…"

At the memory of Celes, Locke bowed his head. I know she was just trying to protect everyone by casting a vanish spell on the soldiers and herself…She's not a spy. I know she's not! She'll come back…I hope…

"Don't blame yourself for what she did," Terra said, putting a hand on his arm to console him.

"Oh, I don't," he replied simply with a shrug. He was surprised that Terra was able to read his mind, but he tried not to show it. "I just hope she's all right."

"So, are we going to abide to Emperor Gestahl's wishes?" Cyan questioned as he walked over to where the three young people were talking, interrupting their conversation about Celes. "Going into Albrook with Sir Leo doesn't seem like it will be that harmful of a task. I don't trust the Empire, but I must admit, I do trust Sir Leo."

"Yeah, I've met him before and he seemed like he was a pretty well together guy, unlike the other bastards that run around Vector," Locke retorted and gestured with a wave of his hand before crossing his arms against his chest again. "If anything, it might be a way to get more information about what the Empire is really up to."

Terra sheepishly looked down at her feet and spoke in a gentle tone of voice. "I…I really want to go. I'm not sure why the Empire wants to seek out the Espers, but I kind of want to as well. I want to know where I come from. Ya know, explore the Esper part of me and understand it better. I know it sounds selfish, but…"

She slowly lifted her head up and locked eyes with Locke. He tried to smile, but he couldn't find it in his heart to. He knew that she just figured out that she was half Esper and wasn't able to deal with her past yet, and he couldn't imagine what she was going through. Hell, she doesn't even remember what happened...Someone might be out there waiting for her… With a nod, he looked at Edgar and Cyan. "If Terra goes, I'll go."

"You mean that?" She asked, pleasantly surprised at his kind gesture. "You…want to come with me?"

"Hey, I told you I'd protect you no matter what happens, did I not?" She nodded so he attempted a smile toward her. "Right, so I'm keeping my word."

"Locke…." She started, still in awe. "Thank you…"

"Of course," he said as he rubbed his forehead with his fingertips in thought. "The rest of you…wait here. While we're with Leo trying to find out some things, I want you guys to walk around Vector to see if you can get an insider's perspective of what they're doing. I smell a rat…"

"I must admit that I do as well," Cyan stated as he turned up his nose and sniffed. "Not a literal one of course, but I do believe what you mean."

"Agreed," Edgar said with a nod, then lowered his voice. "It's hard to trust the Emperor just like that."

With a scoff, Locke ran his fingers through his blond hair. "It's hard to trust the Emperor at all after trying to destroy many cities and basically take over the entire world. Yeah, I'd say I don't trust him. Dinner and expensive wine isn't enough to convince me that he wants to join the Returners."

"Not to mention that all he did was give us a lengthy speech about how he wants peace," Edgar added with a disappointed shake of his head. "Talk is cheap. Then again, if it was expensive, I would be broke because I like to talk a lot."

"Really?" Locke feigned surprise, causing Edgar to roll his eyes. "I didn't notice!"

"All right," Cyan said to bring things back on topic. "We'll stay here and investigate while you two go to Albrook."

"Please do," Locke replied sincerely with a nod. "Remember, this is the Empire we're talking about here; they love to hide things and they hide them well. Leave no stone unturned!"

"Right," Edgar agreed as Locke and Terra began walking out of the dining hall. "And you be careful! I don't want anything happening to you two because you decide to make rash decisions."

"We'll be fine," Locke answered for both of them as he opened the door and let Terra go through first. "Terra, are you sure about this?"

"Yes," she replied as she waited for him to catch up with her. "I think. No, I'm confident. I mean, I'll never find out more about my ancestors unless I seek them out, ya know? It's just coincidental that Gestahl decided to be noble and side with the Returners now."

With a huff, Locke kicked a stone with his shoe. "Yeah, I'm sure it was just a 'coincidence.'"

"Locke, think about it," she exclaimed and stopped him in his tracks. "They've been looking for me for quite some time, and they found me, didn't they? And look, I'm still here. They didn't lock me up and do a bunch of experiments on me! Not to mention that they didn't put that slave crown back on my head."

"Yeah, but—"

"I think we should give them a chance." Locke whipped his head up and gave her an evil glare. "Don't look at me like that because I stated my opinion."

"Okay, fine. We're all entitled to our own opinions, so here's mine; I don't want to give them a chance, Terra," he told her sternly, frightening her with his tone. "You have no idea what the Empire has done to me."

"It's because you won't tell me," she pointed out. By the look in her eyes, Locke could tell that she was still hurt that he wouldn't tell her what happened.

"Well, to sum it up, they've fucked up my life so royally that I'm still trying to atone for everything," he explained and looked up at the ceiling to avoid eye contact. "Sorry for the vulgarity, but it's true. Terra, everything just fell apart at the same time, basically ripping the life out of me."

"Locke, look at me!" She challenged as she pointed to herself. "No offence intended, but think about me here! They had me under their control for 16 years of my life! I was nothing more than a weapon to them and they knew it! I killed hundreds of people without being able to say, 'no, Terra, that's not what you're supposed to be doing with your power.' How do you think I feel in this situation?"

He bowed his head in shame for he knew she had a very legitimate point. "I'm sorry, you're right. I just…hate the Empire and everything that it's composed of. I never thought that I would be on the same team as the Empire and I'm still kind of sticking to that. But, I trust your instincts and I'm going to do whatever I can to protect you. So, say the word and I'll be by your side."

"I didn't mean to lash out, but I don't know who I am," she began, her cheeks turning red with anger. Locke knew the anger wasn't directed toward him, so he didn't argue with her. Now that I think about it, what is her anger pointed at? The Empire? Her heritage? I'm not sure… "No one knows who I am. Not even myself now that I think about it. I need to find out more."

"I know," he replied in understanding. "That's why I'm going with you, okay?"

"Uhhh, sorry to interrupt…" Terra and Locke looked at the soldier who was standing by them, and Locke wasn't sure how long he was standing there, and he prayed that it wasn't very long. The soldier looked uncomfortable and shifted his weight, so it was obvious that he didn't want to barge in on their conversation, but duty called upon him to do so. "A message from the Emperor."

"What is it?" Locke asked as the soldier handed him an envelope that was sealed with the Emperor's wax stamp. He turned it around a few times before looking back up at the soldier to continue.

"Because you were able to talk to so many soldiers, you are rewarded as follows," he began to explain as Locke raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't know that it was a game, but go on."

The soldier was thrown off by Locke interrupting and speaking, so he blinked a few times as Locke opened the envelope. "Um, well, Imperial troops have withdrawn from South Figaro and Doma."

Locke took out the paper that was in the envelope, unfolded it, and read it to find out that it said exactly what the soldier just told them. He turned the paper around in his hand in disappointment that there wasn't more written on the back. "That's it? What, were you all bored down there or something so you decided to get up and leave? Or was it that you pretty much exterminated everyone so you decided to move on?"

"Locke…" Terra said softly in warning as he folded the paper back up and put it in the envelope again.

"Well…" The soldier stated, becoming more nervous that Locke was shaking his head. "I was also ordered to give you this."

"Yay! Presents!" Terra exclaimed as the soldier handed her a small red box tied with a white ribbon. She bounced on her toes as she undid the ribbon, then gave a queer look when she saw what it was inside. "There're a few things in here, but what are they? For instance, this key…What's it open?"

"Well, there are two relics and the key is to a door to one of the houses in town," the soldier explained as he pointed inside the box. "There are some more treasures in the house. I wish we could do more, but for now…"

"Okay, thanks," Locke said nicely as he put his hand on Terra's shoulder to get her to continue walking. He sighed as he and Terra approached the exit of the Imperial Palace and noticed that she was still oddly quiet. He decided not to say anything to her, for he was afraid that he would say something that would make him want to shove his foot in his mouth.

The second they walked into Vector, Banon walked up to them. The usual pensive, serious look was on his face as he studied them and they stood in silence for a minute.

"Do you think we're about to do something that we'll regret?" Locke asked, hoping for an honest answer from his mentor. "I mean, going to Albrook and going by Gestahl's new word of peace?"

"Peace, eh?" The older man repeated as he ran his fingers along his beard. "Peace. The Emperor wants peace. Ha, it just sounds so ironic to me. Could Gestahl have meant such a thing?"

"I can't help but be skeptical," Locke replied with a shrug. "But, I guess we have no choice but to go along with it. I'm doing it for Terra's sake and that's it. I want nothing else to do with the Empire."

"Please understand," Terra said to Banon, looking up at him in a way of apology. "I don't want to bring anyone into harm's way, but…"

"There's no need to apologize, Terra." Banon's voice was gentle, so Locke saw a look of relief wash over her face. "It's just an odd thing for Gestahl to ask out of us. I mean, team up with the Empire to track down an Esper?"

"Nothing we can do about it now," Locke stated as he put his hands in pockets. "We already told him that we would do it."

"We're prepared if the worst should happen," Banon explained, leaning in to the two young adults so the rest of the army couldn't hear. "Reinforcements are hiding in the forest close by, so we'll be watching what happens in this town like hawks. Albrook is to the south, so that's not too far away in case you need help."

"You've also got the airship," Terra added, Banon and Locke both nodding in agreement. "I honestly don't think there's anything to be worried about, but there's no harm in being ready in case something does go wrong."

"Exactly." Banon looked between Terra and Locke for a second before he inhaled then exhaled in small puffs. "All right, you two be careful and don't hesitate to call us if you need anything."

They both nodded before turning around and walking out of Vector.