Thanks to everyone who's reviewed. I'm glad I was able to get this chapter in so soon. The next one may be a while 'cos I'm leaving town for a few days. I'll try to update as soon as I can.
Chapter 7
"What?" Edgar found himself backed into a corner, overshadowed by a very irate Celes. "What the hell do you mean I'm not going?"
Speaking in a firm tone, Edgar tried his best not to let Celes' famously short temper, deter him.
"Look, you heard Terra. These mages have their sights set on replenishing their magic sources. And, since they now know that she's not an esper, they're going to be focusing all their attention on you. It would be too dangerous for you to simply walk in there."
"Excuse me. I have a question." The two of them turned to see Setzer raising his hand. Everyone was in the throne room. Terra had told them about the events of the night before, and they were all wondering if this would change their plans.
"So, are we still going to try and talk to these people? Even, after this?" Setzer asked.
"Yes. I haven't given up hope that this situation can be solved peacefully." Answered Edgar. He then turned back to Celes. "But it is still too dangerous for you to be there."
"So, what? I'm supposed to just sit here, while you all take the risk for me?" Celes waved her hand to everyone in the room. "If those mages want to try me, I'll be more than happy to let them. They can even come at me with magic spells! It won't do them any good!" She patted the rune blade at her side.
Edgar groaned and sat down on his throne with the chancellor standing next to him.
"I swear, it's infuriating. Trying to talk to someone who just won't listen to reason."
"I can't imagine what that's like, sire." The chancellor answered in a dry tone.
"Excuse me, but perhaps I can be of assistance." Locke and Terra nearly jumped out of their skins at the figure that suddenly appeared behind them.
"Gogo!" Celes walked over to greet their shrouded ally from the battle against Kefka. "What are you doing here?"
"And how did you get in?" Asked Edgar. "I had the guards doubled!"
Gogo shrugged his (or possibly her) shoulders.
"I have my ways." The mimic answered simply.
Locke sighed. Gogo certainly hadn't changed.
"I know of your predicament and I wish to help."
Edgar was about to ask how Gogo had known, but then decided it wouldn't do any good. Instead he simply asked in what way Gogo meant. The mimic turned his/her/whatever attention to Celes.
"If you would stand perfectly still, please?"
Celes gave the others a sideways look, but did as Gogo asked. Gogo stood directly facing Celes, just holding eye contact at first, then suddenly brought his/her/oh forget it hands together, palms flat and fingers straight. The Returners could hear their mysterious friend chanting softly, when a sudden puff of smoke enveloped the mimic. Everyone spluttered and waved their hands in front of their faces.
"Always has to dramatize it." Locke muttered to himself.
When the smoke finally cleared, Celes blinked her eyes and saw the very same eyes looking back at her. Everyone stared, agape, at Gogo. The mimic had transformed into an exact copy of Celes!
Gogo looked down at her (from now on I'm referring to Gogo as her, due to looking like Celes) changed body and a small smile graced her face.
"Oh good, this is actually the first time I've done this with a human."
Terra was the first to find her voice.
"Gogo, since when could you do that?"
Gogo answered in a voice that was exactly like Celes'.
"Well, after we defeated Kefka and saved the world, I decided it was time to return to my mimicry training. I thought it best to be prepared, should another threat arrive. And, as it turns out, I discovered a way to mimic a subject entirely, rather than just their attacks."
"It's amazing." Sabin circled the two Celeses. "You've got everything. Her voice, her clothes. You've even got her rune blade!"
Gau suddenly appeared and sniffed them both.
"They even smell the same." He said.
Celes stepped back at this, but Gogo didn't seem to mind.
"So, let me know if I'm guessing right." Edgar approached Gogo. "Are you volunteering to be a decoy for Celes?"
"If that is how you wish to phrase it, yes." Gogo answered with a calm smile. "Celes can go disguised as one of your soldiers and, should any attempt be made upon myself, at least the enemy will not acquire any magic from it."
"But Gogo, this could put you in real danger!" Celes didn't like the idea of Gogo getting hurt on her behalf. But the mimic still held her calm expression.
"I do not intend to put myself in any position where I would be vulnerable. And besides, in this form I have all your skills and abilities, as well as my own. I believe I am quite capable of defending myself."
"Well, if thou art absolutely sure about this?" Cyan asked, to which Gogo simply nodded. "It does seem like a reasonable plan of action."
"I'll make sure nothing happens." Locke looked at both Celes and Gogo. "To either of you."
(Four days later…)
Celes walked out into Figaro castle's front courtyard. She was dressed in the red and green uniform of the kingdom's soldiers. She'd tied her hair back and pinned it to the back of her head so that it would be hidden by the helmet she was carrying. There weren't any female soldiers in Figaro's army, so the helmet had a mask attached to it that would hide her face from the eyes down. Her rune blade hung in a scabbard by her side. The handle had black leather straps wrapped around in case the mages recognized it.
The others were standing around in the courtyard. Nearby were the Falcon and the Sub-Mariner. Celes had to admit, the finished product didn't look half bad. It wasn't as big as the airship, due to them having to navigate through the underwater tunnels, but Edgar assured them, it would have enough room for everyone, even Umaro.
"I still don't see why Interceptor couldn't come!" Celes looked over to where Relm was arguing, as usual, with her grandfather.
"Relm, I've told you. Interceptor wouldn't be able to move about, like he could on the airship. He'd be all cooped up." Strago answered impatiently. "Don't worry. Gungho is taking care of Interceptor. He'll be fine."
"I was hoping I'd have some help taking care of you! But now, I'll have to do it all by myself!"
"How many times must I tell you to stop sassing your elders?"
Celes chuckled, shaking her head, and walked over to where Setzer was looking over some water charts with Locke and Sabin. As she approached, Locke looked up and raised his eyebrows.
"Hey, you look good in that uniform."
Celes gave him a sly smile then turned to Setzer.
"So, do you think the Falcon will be able to carry this thing all the way to the Veldt?"
Setzer rolled up the chart he was reading, while smirking confidently.
"There is nothing the Falcon cannot do. Besides," He added with a shrug. "I won't be carrying it all alone."
"Some of Vector's air force will be arriving soon to help out." Said Sabin. "I called in a few favors." He added with a wink.
"Alright. Are we nearly ready to go?" At the sound of Edgar's voice, everyone turned and immediately fell silent. They all just stared at the king with bemused faces. Even Gogo, still looking like Celes, seemed lost for words.
"Edgar, don't move." Sabin took one of Setzer's charts and rolled it up. He then held it like a club. "There's something on your head. Don't worry, I'll get it."
Edgar gave his brother a withering look.
"It's a cap." He said, pointing to his new headgear. "You know how naval officers have those hats to show their authority. This is what will be worn by Sub-Mariner captains from now on."
"What's that flat bit sticking out at the front?" Asked Celes. "It looks like a diving board."
"It's to keep the spray from the waves out of my eyes." Edgar explained.
"What waves? We'll be under water!" Said Setzer.
Terra put a hand over her eyes. They hadn't even left yet, and she already had a feeling that things were going to go wrong.
However, the flight to the Veldt went smoothly. Then Setzer, rather grudgingly, entrusted the Falcon to Figaro's troops. Positioning the Sub-Mariner in the closest body of calm water they could find, the Returners went below deck and Edgar ordered his assembled crew to begin submerging.
A little uneasy at first, the adventurers soon discovered that they needn't have worried. Edgar's ingenuity had paid off and they were on their way.