Final Fantasy 3

Authors note: Well this the third chapter and the story picks up pace. I hope you enjoy the story and again you have the choice to review. The Final Fantasy series is great and well on with the story.

CH.3: Forming the team

A group of people could be seen in the distance, as a watcher-A zooms in the people are shown as Al Bhed. The one who had a shovel had blonde spikes for hair and a patch over his left eye. Gippal looks up into the hot sun of the Bikanel desert and again shoves his shovel into the sand. His men were tired and near exhaustion after 13 hours in the sun.

"Only a few more feet," Gippal said. A sudden tremor caused the sand to shift downhill. A huge mouth popped through the top layer and saliva spilled everywhere. Gippal rolls to the ground as a huge tail smashes the sand. His men do the same and the sand worm increases speed. Gippal pulls out his pistol and fires three rounds into the opening. The effect stalls the creature and the Al Bhed ready a hidden gun.

"Hurry up Nhen before were swallowed!" An Al Bhed in his early thirties urged. The gun was set and Gippal sat in the control seat and turned on the auto fire. Two other Al Bhed readied the target sensors and homing dish. The sand worm lunged at them; Gippal gave the command and opened fire. Silvery pounds of led zipped out of the sun and sank into the iron skin of the worm. Some of the shells pierced the armor and made the worm howl. Explosions occurred and the worm fell. Gippal let go of the controls and hopped down relieved.

"Bikanel desert never is too quiet," he said, "now let us get our findings to Nhadala…I think we earned a rest." The ride back was pleasant, but Gippal's thoughts were on Nooj, Baralai…and Paine. She is around my age and maybe it will do us both the good if we…he cleared the thought away. The machina they rode took them to base where the original Al Bhed home had once stood. It was invaded by fiends and Cid had no choice but to blow it up. Gippal was only 16 then and the loss was only a moment; his main priorities were Crimson Squad and their investigation into Vegnagun. My faction is the machines…and their damn break downs, Gippal thought hopelessly. Back at Djose temple there were piles of machina; half complete, others in heaps, Gippal sighed.

"Sir Nhadala wishes us congrats and once we get back she has a new mission," Nhen reported, "she also says you got a call." In the desert there weren't many messages from the comm. sphere and the personal ones were always half. The hover came to a stop near base and Gippal got off.

"Don't bother showering we have urgent business to attend to," Nhadala said from the other side. Gippal made his way to the comm. sphere and waited. "The Youth League base is under attack by Zu and YSLS-99. Nooj is in Bevelle and Elma says they have made it to the gate. Go and try to help them, Paine is already there so hurry." Gippal took in all the news then vaulted for the nearest transport. He flew into the sky and plotted a course for Mushroom Rock Road. He then keyed in a message and what he got was an issued command:

"…Under attack…fiends everywhere…

many wounded…Nooj can you hear…

hold off as long as possible…"

"Elma? Paine? I guess I got to do it the hard way," he said with resignation. Goosing the throttle he headed into the canyons and pulled up right as he met an overhang. The sun was sinking and already he could hear machine gun fire in the distance. In 2 more minutes he hit the elevator and fell. The sharp pain in his arm he ignored as he hit the up button. The ride was short and what he met was an YSLS-99.

"Target: Al Bhed: Age 18: Leader of Machine Faction: Enemy!" It stepped back and released a huge robotic arm that broke down a huge piece of the wall. Gippal squeezed off 2 rounds and clicked again, nothing. The arm crashed near him causing him to run. A black figure rolled through the air and landed on the machine's back. Gippal stared at the figure as it stabbed deep into the machine's processors and in a spark of defeat went down. The 'it' he thought was his hero and was none other then Paine. Her red eyes were relieved he was safe, but he knew better then to thank her.

"They get weaker everyday," Paine said, "for about a month they have been coming up the road, that one is the closest to achieving its goal. Isn't it late in the night Gippal?"

"Nhadala said you guys needed help, apparently I was misinformed." A loud rumble came from behind and the two looked over their shoulders and saw 10 YSLS-99'S. Grabbing his gun he ran behind Paine firing off water bullets to slow them down. These new bullets were made in Luca and were handed to him, Nooj, and Baralai for their service in destroying Vegnagun. Both Nooj and himself kept Baralai's secret knowing the Praetor needed another chance.

"She was right," Paine said. They reached the main gate and the Youth League readied their guns. They came in two groups; each swaggering its arms in rthym. The bullets zipped down into the armored machina and took down 6.

"We're out!" Gippal poured more bullets into his gun and went down the path. Paine lifted her sword up and joined him, both faced 4 YSLS-99'S; armed and armored to the max. Paine flipped over the first one and stabbed it then ducked as a huge fist pounded into the dirt. Gippal had her covered as he shot 2 rounds into the advancing one. The Youth League gave a cheer then descended towards the battle. A nearby YSLS-99 spotted Paine and sent a flying fist into her side. Paine saw it out of the corner of her eye and felt her ribs crack. Her red eyes closed from the impact and her form crumpled. Gippal raced down the hill and picked up her limp body. "Too soon," he said. Picking up Paine's sword he brought it up in a high defense, then jumped into the air and sliced through the armor of the YSLS-99. It fell down in flames.

"Get a stretcher!" Elma was beside Gippal and looked down at Paine. "I got an emergency call from Nooj he…he wants us to evacuate Youth League base…immediately." The news shocked everyone and even Gippal had to think why the Meyvan ordered retreat. Did he think they could not take on this army and defeat it? Maybe it's the machina side of him, Elma thought, ever since that day he wanted death, now he wants to be rid of it. And our safety means more then the base too, she thought still fighting the fear in her belly. "What…what do we do now?"

"We do as he says…for now. If you have an emergency base use it now." New Yevon was in Bevelle and would be facing the same dilemma. Further down the road another batch of YSLS-99'S were advancing slowly. All this was built up by Nooj himself, he didn't even want to see it fall…by machina. Gippal himself despised machina, but their uses in transportation and video were helpful, especially in the desert.

"The doctors already left..." Elma left it at that and Gippal headed back inside the abandoned base. On a laid out table was Paine in her black warrior dress sphere with a chunk of rock in her side. Gippal could fix machines…never a human. His Al Bhed eyes took in the damage then he pulled out some gloves and held onto the object. Closing his eyes he heaved and sweared and with much effort the rock flew and crashed through a window. Paine was up and had her sword by Gippal's throat. She took in her surroundings and frowned.

"Did we..?" The silence brought her to realization that they were alone. "Why do I feel like I got hit by a giant fist?"

"Because you did. While in your glory another YSLS-99 spotted you and pierced your side. I saved your neck and managed to stay alive to tell you. Emergency orders came from Nooj telling everyone to pull back. I stayed behind to help you get to Bevelle." Paine leaned on her sword and Gippal waited patiently. With the light coming in her beauty dawned on him more. But he was Al Bhed and knew he had no chance of ever having a relationship.

"Then Bevelle it is." They exited the Youth League base and found 15 YSLS-99 and Pop Fry's. Racing back in the building it began to shake and loose glass fell. The walls then gave up and the ceiling above began to teeter. Climbing the stairs he made an effort not to look down. The stair he ran on gave up and if not for Paine's outstretched hand he would've died…so young. A secret escape vehicle was awaiting them and while Paine started it up Gippal began to plot in coordinates for Bevelle. They rose off the platform as it collapsed and sped towards Bevelle. Paine steered them over Spira and kept her eye on the scanner. "I appreciate you rescuing me Gippal. Maybe my mind was on Yuna too much for me to focus. She has been down ever since she came back from the Farplane. I feel so helpless."

"We all feel helpless at times, but as long as we get constant support from friends and relations we can overcome our dilemma." Paine and Gippal both looked at one another then lowered through the clouds into Bevelle.

Yuna laid on her side in the many empty rooms that Baralai offered to the group. The sound of landing gears on Bevelle's landing pad brought her to her feet. She still wore her loose fitting gunner's clothes she had originally donned in her pursuit of the imposter. Leblanc had gone back to Guodosalam and still awaited her Noojie Woojie. Her two henchmen Logos and Ormi were still searching for spheres to make Leblanc happy. Yuna threw her hair back and walked into the main hall where a familiar person in black stood. Rushing down the stairs Yuna hugged Paine and forgot how much she missed her. "Hey!"

"Hey yourself. Yuna, would you explain why you're here, instead of moping around Besaid?" Yuna led her friend up towards the elevator and explained about the sphere and the means of knowing, "isn't this what got us in trouble before?"

"Hey Gip, what brings you here?" Gippal sat on his haunches and looked up at Rikku. Her lips parted to smile, but she saw the sadness in his. "Gippal…have you fallen in love?"

"No…maybe," Gippal admitted, "we spent sometime together, but in two places. She and I are two classes that meet then part, it sounds like Luca stadium. One goes to see blitzball and sees a girl; they talk and never get an address. 2nd time they catch up on events and bell rings, finally you have the guts but someone sits in her spot. Being in Djose temple or Bikanel desert shows I want isolation; I grow to be friends with people around me, just the problem is the only girl there is Nhadala. When I was in Crimson Squad I got to travel, now my job is fixing broken machina or searching the desert for new machina!" Rikku sat by him and scratched her head in thought. She has matured from the brat I once knew, he thought.

"Is…is it Paine? Oh my god you love Paine, oh I got to tell someone…maybe Yunie!" Gippal grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down. One thing he didn't need was for Rikku to blab out that the Machine Faction leader had a crush; he especially didn't want Paine to know, if she didn't know…it'd be chaos. "Ow, that hurts!"

"Sorry but for your own sake and mine I can't let you. If you really consider our friendship important you will keep this to yourself." Gippal rose up and raced Rikku up the stairs, when they bumped into Baralai. The Praetor was not amused.

"I found them!" Nooj and Paine came around the corner not looking anything but amused. Rikku caught the mad look of Paine and sulked into the room. "Nooj he is 18 and running around my place like a machina out of control. Maybe we should remind him of the rules of Crimson Squad again?" More looks of discomfort crossed Gippal's face and when he met Paine's it was embarrassment. "Straighten up before you enter the meeting."

"Am I on review?" Baralai walked into the room and Gippal was left to face Nooj and Paine. "Is Crimson Squad reunited?"

"Reunited, but not reformed. I don't want the past to resurface and end up with me shooting you guys in the back. After this mission we will still have our jobs, our meetings will become fewer until our reunions. I am a Meyvan, Baralai is a Praetor, you run the Machine Faction, and Paine is a sphere hunter. Let us proceed with our destiny, shall we?"

"Just a minute Nooj," Paine said, "I need to have a few words with the Al Bhed about his dress code." Nooj left and Gippal held his ears knowing a verbal assault was to happen. She stood there smiling; that only happened on rare times like her time with Crimson Squad or the Gullwings. "I know I won't get another chance to say this, and…I may not repeat it." Gippal expected a beating and raised his arms, but she slid through his defense and kissed him. Her arms were wrapped around him and their bodies together. "I love you."

"Eh? So the camera woman fell for the one eyed Al Bhed, not a thing could make this better." An impatient tapping on the floor brought their attention to the council: Yuna, Rikku, Cid, Nooj, Baralai, Captain Lucil, Brother, Buddy, Shinra-all were there grinning. "May we have some privacy please?"

"Sure, after we do our mission!" Baralai pulled the group back in and Paine held onto Gippal as they headed in. "Now today is our meeting to decide how to deal with this slumbering threat. The Farplane, as far as we know, contains thousands of spirit trails and the dead. It is where the living can contact with the dead, just no response. Cid has done the final touches on the ship, now we need to choose our crew." The chamber was now silent.

"I guess I'll be navigator," Buddy said. Everyone clapped as the 1st member volunteered. Cid was 2nd due to his engineering skills, Brother would be pilot, Gippal had weapons, Nooj was advisor, Yuna would come as a fighter along with Paine and Rikku, two New Yevon guards…and incoming Leblanc and Logos! Leblanc wore a blue open dress and short skirt while Logos wore a united dress sphere. This dress sphere consisted of both Youth League and New Yevon, quite a powerful combo. "The klutz squad is here."

"Oh quiet you ninny," Leblanc retorted, "ah Noojie Woojie did you forget something?" The Meyvan's cheeks flushed with rage, but he kept his voice low as not to upset Leblanc who had been part of the Vegnagun operation. Leblanc was tall and had blonde hair puffed up and a lip that sent chills down Nooj's spine. The fan in her hand was used constantly because her figure and the limited air (to her). Logos on the other hand kept his distance and always had a pistol ready. Baralai motioned for Leblanc to sit.

"Well…if this isn't the weirdest suicidal group I have ever seen." Nervous laughter came from everyone and soon it was time to leave. The ship stood high and had green wings that would help it soar. The neck stretched up so high that Yuna couldn't see the top. The ramp extended towards them and Cid took the 1st step on. "Shinra has installed a device that will help us see and hear everything on board. Good luck and may your journey go well." Once on board Cid hit the release and they were off.