CHAPTER II: BAHAMUT'S REQUEST
Gaspar stood by the lamppost as he waited for the heroes to be summoned. Portals appeared, dumping the chosen warriors into his domain, disappearing immediately afterwards. Magus and Frog were the first to arise, since they were used to traveling through the portals or gates as they called them. They pain that these gates brought was unusual, and Magus made a note to ask Gaspar about it. Frog would do the same. Before they had the chance, they noticed that eight other gates appeared at the far edge of the area where the gates Frog, Magus, and the others had used to travel through time were. Frog glanced about and saw a person he had hoped to never see again.
"Magus!" he shouted as he drew the Masamune from its sheath. Magus snorted at the sound of his voice.
"So you've come here as well," Magus replied with his back to Frog.
"Thy sorcery must be put to an end," Frog added. "Tell me, why hast thou brought me here?"
"If you think that this was my doing, you're wrong." Magus answered coldly. "Why would I waste my time bringing you here anyway?"
"Thou hath a point," Frog replied as he sheathed his broadsword and glanced at the portals. Ten people had appeared and two pyrefiles. Yuna stood up as she saw this, desperately hoping someone she longed to see would appear. The multicolored lights danced around until a person appeared. He wore a red robe with black armor underneath, had part of his face hidden in a light grey collar. His eyes rested behind his sunglasses, with a scar running down the right side of his face and over his right eye. His left arm rests in his robe in a sling like position, leaving that leave to move with the wind. Yuna instantly recognized the guardian that had journeyed with her father and then later her to defeat Sin.
"Sir Auron," she said, shocked that he had returned from the Farplane, "but how?"
"My story is not quite finished yet," Auron answered. A slight smile appeared on his face, though it remained hidden. "Maybe I wanted to say hello." Yuna smiled at that as she hugged the legendary guardian.
"It's good to see you too," she said with a happiness that had vanished from her one year prior.
"We hath company," Frog said as he studied the heroes. Magus stood silently doing the same.
"Where the hell are we?" Irvine asked as he stood up.
"You think I know?" Squall asked in response with his normal, serious tone.
"Just asking," Irvine answered as he looked around the End of Time. "Maybe one of these guys… or ladies could tell us." He tipped his hat as Squall shook his head. He had a feeling he was in for a long day and headaches.
"Damn, that hurts," Edge said as he rose. "Hell of a way to travel."
"Dammit!" Kain muttered. Edge glanced at him curiously.
"What?" he asked.
"I was trying to warn Cecil and Rosa about something," Kain answered as he silently cursed his inability to do so. Edge starred at him blankly. "I sensed a dark presence," Kain continued.
"That explains why you left Mt. Ordeals then," Edge replied. He began to ponder over Kain's statement, recognizing the fact that it would take something very dire to remove him from his seclusion for redemption. He did miss the wedding and coronation ceremony of Cecil and Rosa after all, and it has only been a few months since.
"Terra," Setzer said, "are you all right?" Terra looked up at him as he held out his hand.
"I'm fine, thanks," she replied as she took his hand and rose to her feet. Shadow was leaning against the fence with his arms crossed.
"What about you Shadow?" Setzer asked.
"…" was the response received from Shadow. He was taking note of their surroundings and the people who arrived with them. Setzer reached into his pockets and placed a hand over some of his razor edged cards. He wasn't going into an unknown place unarmed, especially being unsure of whether the other people meant them harm, or not. Shadow gave his head one nod and walked closer to Setzer and Terra.
Cloud came to and slowly brought himself up. He stared abut the area with his blue Mako eyes, and saw Tifa lying on the ground. Without having to think twice, he ran to her side. "Tifa," he said. She didn't respond. "Tifa!"
"Cloud?" she asked as she regained consciousness. Tifa opened her eyes and saw him by her side. Her memory came back to as she placed a hand on her forehead. "Where are we?"
"I don't know," Cloud answered. "What happened?"
"I was trying to call you," Tifa replied with a slight laugh. "You really need to answer your phone." She stood up and began to look around. Everyone else was doing likewise, their hands near their weapons just in case. Setzer caught Cloud's glance.
Silver hair…no, there's no way. Cloud looked at him and began to draw out his sword while Tifa pulled out her gloves. "Who are you?" He asked with a small hint of aggression and anger. Setzer made no response. Cloud's anger flared up slightly. Is he Sephiroth or a remnant? "What do you want?" He drew closer to him as he placed both of his hands around the hilt of his blade. Shadow looked up from his thoughts and drew closer, concealing a shuriken ready for throwing. Terra removed the Ragnarok from its sheath by her side.
"We could ask you the same," Terra answered.
"Stay out of this," Cloud repliedin his normal fashion. He pointed his sword towards Setzer. "My quarrel is with him, not anyone else."
"Then you would be wise to stay your weapons," Shadow addedwith a tone that was not one to be trifled with. His cold piercing eyes stared at Cloud, gauging him, then Tifa, doing the same.
"Or what?" Tifa asked. This may be Cloud's fight, but that doesn't mean I can't help out.
"The reaper is always one step behind me…," Shadow answered. It was a phrase he used in the days before Kefka's rise and fall, one which he wondered if was still true. He didn't have time for doubts now, his friends need his help.
"Quit playing games Sephiroth or whoever you are!" Cloud shouted in rebuttal.
"Sephiroth?" Setzer asked slightly confused and irritated. "You must have me mistaken for someone else." Terra readied her sword in case Cloud would attack. Squall looked at Irvine.
"Get your rifle ready," he said. "We might need it."
"Crowd control?" Irvine asked.
"Maybe," Squall answered, "not sure though. Better to be ready in any case." Irvine nodded as he pulled his rifle out. Setzer turned around and faced Cloud, pulling out three of his razor edged cards.
"I'll give you one last chance to back off," he said as his smirk faded into a serious expression.
"Right," Cloud replied coldly. "Like you care."
"Whatever you think is right, you're wrong," Setzer answered, "and that is a big mistake." With those words, Cloud charged forward. Setzer wasted no time in throwing the three cards he held. Cloud blocked all of them with his sword and continued moving forward only to be met by Terra's blade. He was surprised slightly by her strength and irritated that she stood in his way to the silver haired foe.
Seeing Cloud was occupied at the moment, Tifa seized the moment to catch their opponent with his guard down. A shuriken flew through the air and landed a few feet in front of her. She looked up and saw Shadow standing before her. Every punch and kick she launched was dodged by the mysterious ninja with ease. The others had moved closer to the sight of the commotion, curious at its cause. Squall quickly pondered over the situation. Crowd control was the only solution that came to mind.
"Irvine," Squall shouted, "now!"
"Right," Irvine replied as he shot a bullet into the air. As the sound of the gunshot echoed through the End of Time, everyone looked around to see Irvine holding his rifle straight up into the air.
"That's enough," Auron said as he walked towards the combatants. The legendary guardian quickly became the focus of attention as when he entered any city in Spira during his last journey. This time it wasn't despised fame that brought it. "You can put down your weapons and save your strength."
Edge's eyes moved from Irvine to the woman with green hair wearing red. Only one person came to his mind. "Rydia," he said as he walked towards her. As he got closer, he hopes began to rise until Terra turned around as she sheathed the Ragnarok. No you damn fool, it's not her. She smiled warmly at him, making his mind race with memories of the last surviving summoner from Mist.
"Guess today's a day for mistaken identity," Terra answered, slightly blushing at her words.
"No need to blush," Edge replied with a laugh. "It should be me for mistaking you for her, though I have to say red does suit you." Dammit man, quit flirting. How can Rydia take you seriously if this is all you do? He put the thought aside for the moment. Shadow glanced in Terra's direction, and then at Edge.
"Thanks," Terra added with another warm smile. "I see you're quite the charmer. I'm Terra."
"And you can call me whatever you want," Edge replied. Terra giggled at that as he let out a chuckle. "But if you prefer a name, Edge will do."
Cloud sheathed his massive sword. Irvine put up his gun, seeing it wasn't needed anymore. Considering the mishap that had just unfolded, he had no intention of looking hostile.
"Sorry," Cloud replied, "I thought you were Sephiroth or a remnant of him
"You kinda look like him with your silver hair," Tifa added. She looked over at Edge who was walking with Terra. "You do too I guess." It was the first time she had noticed the purple clad ninja.
"If that's a compliment," Edge replied, "I'll take it." He paused as he saw the bewildered expression on Tifa's face. "...Or not." She smiled at his statement. "Can't blame a guy for trying."
"I hear you on that one," Irvine added as he walked towards Tifa, tipping his hat and giving one of his glances that would end up with Selphie starring angrily at him. Damn I miss her.
"Sephiroth," Setzer replied to Cloud after repeating the name in his head for a moment as he placed his cards in his pocket, "no, I'm not whoever he is, but the name of this gambler does happen to begin with a 'S.' Setzer."
"Cloud," Cloud added. "Sorry about the mix up."
"Don't worry about it," Setzer replied, "but let's examine our hands a bit more before throwing down the chips." Shadow stood by silently. He wasn't one for socializing unless the situation called for it, in which he would answer with a few words. The only exception to this was when he was with Relm. Cloud and Tifa looked at the ninja in black. Setzer caught their eyes. "Shadow's not one for talking really." He looked around for Terra and saw that she was near Shadow and the other ninja.
Gaspar continued to stand with his back resting on the lamppost. Bahamut, in his dragon form, appeared and looked at the heroes. Gaspar nodded his head and Bahamut approached them. Irvine looked at Squall.
"Did you summon him?" he asked.
"No," Squall answered, wondering why Bahamut had appeared.
"Greetings," he said, "I'm glad to see you all arrived safely."
"Bahamut," Terra replied, "but how? All the Espers and magic left our world." Yuna gazed at Bahamut wondering something along a similar line. Auron remained silent.
"So you brought us here," Irvine replied. "Go easier on the pain next time." Squall shot one of his serious glances at him, taking the hint to ease on the sarcasm.
"My apologies," Bahamut continued. "I wish it had not come to this, but we desperately need your aide. Forgive me for not coming and telling you personally, but time is of the essence."
"What for?" Edge asked with as much respect as possible. He and Kain knew that Bahamut ruled sovereign over all the summons, with Leviathan and Asura right below him. The last thing he needed was for Rydia to have something else to be angry at him for.
"A disturbance in space and time that concerns you all," Bahamut answered in a gravely serious tone. The King of Dragons was never keen on keeping so much information concealed, but it was voted that the information provided to the heroes should be limited. "I am afraid that is all we know. You thirteen warriors must confront and defeat this evil." Bahamut looked at Gaspar who nodded once again. Magus saw this out of the corner of his eye, but said nothing at the time. The King of Dragons then vanished, returning to his realm.
"What, no chance to refuse," Irvine said sarcastically. Squall glared at him again.
"I don't think we have much of a choice," he replied in his normal, serious tone.
"That much is certain," Auron added as he went back to one of his normal periods of silence.
"Explains our being here," Cloud replied in a manner similar to Squall.
"But why us?" Tifa asked. "Why couldn't they pick someone else and leave us to our lives?"
"Our experience in battle," Kain answered. All eyes rested on the Dragoon from Baron. "We all battled and defeated evil at one point, right? People with knowledge of such are needed here."
"Gaspar, what do you know about this?" Magus asked as he considered Kain's statement. Everyone starred at the warlock who motioned at the man in the brown coat and bowler hat by the lamppost.
"As much as Bahamut I fear," Gaspar answered. "He is the one who brought this to my attention."
"'Tis more to it than you speak," Frog added, catching Magus' idea on the subject. Gaspar said nothing to the comment. The council that had met only moments before the gates brought the chosen warriors to the End of Time had agreed to with hold some information from the heroes.
"Interesting hand the fates have dealt," Setzer chipped in to break the silence. He pulled out his deck of playing cards and began to shuffle them. "What will it be?"
"Don't see much of a choice," Squall replied as he crossed his arms. "We can't let this threat go unnoticed."
"Do we have a choice?" Terra asked as her mind raced with images of her friends, the children she took care of, and the people who would be in danger should they do nothing.
"It's your decision," Auron answered. "No one can decide for you. You could always stay here if you choose not to go." He remembered when he told Tidus something similar in Lucca one year ago, and chuckled at how little things had changed.
"We all have something or someone we want to protect," Yuna replied. "I don't see another way than to face this enemy for their sakes." Auron noticed that Yuna had to fight back the tears she wanted to desperately express. She was always easy to read. "Sometimes it seems that all we can do is fight, but if it helps those we care about, then I see no other way. We have to go and stop this."
"I agree," Terra added, "we can't let any more destruction continue."
"What's it gonna be then?" Edge asked just to see the input of the rest of the group.
"Lower thine guard, and thou'rt allowing the enemy in." Frog answered. "I shalt not remain here whilst evil lurks and threatens thy worlds and mine. Thou hath my sword."
"My life's a chip in your pile," Setzer replied as he did when he was first recruited to the Returners after kidnapping Celes. "Time to ante up."
"I'll join you," Kain added. Maybe I can redeem myself with this ordeal. Cecil, Rosa, forgive me.
"Can't let you have all the fun," Edge replied. For the first time in months, Kain smiled. He had forgotten what that felt like. "We'll show 'em who's best."
"You shouldn't get in over your head," Shadow added. Edge glared at him. Fool. "Knowing more about this would be helpful."
"Yeah, yeah," Edge replied, "and I'm sure we'll get right to that. Right now, we need to know who's with us first. What about you?" Edge's eyes rested on Shadow who stood quietly for a few moments before speaking.
"I'll go," Shadow answered. He knew that he needed to speak with Terra, and would tend to that as soon as the moment arrived.
"Cloud," Tifa said. He sighed as he prepared his answer.
"We'll go too," Cloud answered. "No time to dilly dally." Tifa smiled as she remembered when he finally let go of the past.
"You're right," she replied.
"Where the ladies go, I'll follow," Irvine added. Squall shook his head.
"I'd prefer a better reason for you going," he replied.
"What can I say?" Irvine asked.
"Nothing would be fine," Squall answered.
"Was that a joke?" Irvine asked. Squall stood silently. "Whew, Rinoa's been doing wonders with you. Anyway, a reason's a reason."
"Can't argue with that," Edge added.
"The sooner this is done, the sooner we can return to our times," Magus replied irritably. "Just stay out of my way."
"Or thou in mine," Frog answered. Magus sneered at him.
"Hmm," Gaspar said, "we might as well take this time for introductions and seeing what we all know."