Blonde Exchange, by Boyce
Chapter 4 : The Black Chocobo
/ Cherry Hill Temple \
The girls were back at the Temple, a bit discouraged because, although they discovered more about the legend and the medallions, they didn't know what to do next.
Raye : This is getting nowhere...
Amy : We know this black medallion has something to do with this mystery... But it's very tough to solve this riddle, when we don't even have the black medallion in our hands.
Lita : Celes, you never heard of this black medallion, did you?
Celes : Well, in a matter of fact, I think I did.
Serena : You did? Why didn't you tell us then?
Celes : Because there was this monster to defeat. And I didn't have the time to say anything after. You were too busy talking.
Raye : Well tell us then!
Celes : Chill out Raye! It's an old fairy tale my mother used to tell me, before I was raised in the Empire. I don't know if it's true though. As you know, I told you what Chocobos were. My mother once told me that somewhere in my world was living a Black Chocobo. This Chocobo could fly in the skies at high speed. But one day, this Chocobo encountered a flying monster so strong, that it was killed in a battle. It fell to the ground. The spirit of this Chocobo was strong though, and it sealed his spirit into a tiny black coin, which could possibly be this black medallion. It is said that the Chocobo will re-awaken... But I can't remember when...
Amy : So if I understood correctly, there's a spirit living inside the black medallion?
Celes : Right... But even with the knowledge of this tale, it doesn't say how they will be able to find this medallion. My world is very big, and if that medallion exists, it could be anywhere, in a monster like the fire medallion, or at the bottom of the sea, or deep into the ground...
Serena : Well, I have faith in Mina. I'm sure she wants to come back here. So if we trust in her, I'm sure she will find a way back to us.
Celes : I told you she was a great leader. Thinking of others first, that's the characteristic of a great leader Serena.
Lita : She is a bit flaky, but she's solid when it counts, right Raye?
Raye : Of course (Winks)
Serena : (Blushing) Well... I love my friends... They mean a lot to me...
The 4 girls laughed. Celes was in the back, smiling a bit.
Amy : Hmm... Well, I hate to say this... But I think Serena is right. The only thing we can really do is pray for her return. And of course, the return of Celes too.
Celes : Thanks! Not that I don't like you, but I want to return one day too.
Raye : We'll find a way Celes... We always do.
Lita : In the meantime, can you explain to us how you defeated that creature? That was amazing!
Celes : No, it was nothing Lita. I mean, I just got my Atma Weapon out, and sliced the beast. It was like knife going through butter.
Amy : This Atma Weapon seems like a nice weapon. I see it has his normal size again. Yesterday, when you received Jupiter's attack, it seemed to have shrunk a little.
Celes : Wow, you're really observant Amy. Yes, the Atma Weapon works with my energy. If I'm wounded or anything, well it shrinks, and has less power in it. Since I had all my energy again from the sleep, it was all powerful again, and that's probably why that monster was so easy to defeat.
Raye : Well... That was great stuff. Usually, big monsters are not easy to defeat like that.
Serena : Yeah! You're really strong Celes.
Celes : (Winks) You've got that right girl.
Lita : I wonder if she's stronger than me...
Amy : That's a good question Lita.
Celes : You think you're stronger than me Lita? Let's find out! Are you good at arm wrestling?
Lita : You bet I am!
The two girls sat in front of each other. Celes was looking directly in the green eyes of Lita. She was doing the same thing, looking Celes in the eyes.
Celes : Ready?
Lita : Yeah!
Serena : All right! 1... 2... 3... GO!
It took a fraction of second for Celes to win the match. Lita hold her hand in pain, not believing what just happened to her.
Lita : Ouch! That's impossible! She's so strong...
Raye : Did you see that Amy? She beat Lita like nothing.
Amy : It's amazing... She has such strength.
Celes : (Smiling) Want to try again?
Lita : Yeah! You won't get me twice!
They took each other's hand again. Lita knew she had no chances, but she wanted to try again.
Celes : Ready?
Lita : Yes...
Serena : All right! 1... 2... 3...
While Serena was talking, Amy and Raye were looking at the hands of the two girls, and Lita had her eyes closed, to get the maximum concentration. In a fraction of second, a red light engulfed Celes, and she was gone, leaving her place for another person.
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/ Figaro Castle \
The group was back at the castle. Edgar was observing the black medallion in his hand. Sabin was taking a nap in his room. Terra and Locke were with Edgar, trying to solve this mystery, and Mina was observing the sky...
Locke : I'm getting tired...
Terra : That medallion has to have a use of some sort.
Edgar : Of course... But what?
Locke : Look at Mina... She seems so sad. She's a nice girl though. I hope we can return her to her world.
Edgar : Yeah... Poor girl. Must not be easy for her.
Terra : Hmm... But wait a minute. She does have the first medallion around her neck does she? Maybe we have to do something with it.
Edgar : Yeah... But she seems down a bit... Maybe it's better if we wait...
Terra : I think the faster we solve this mystery, the faster she'll be happy again.
Locke : Terra's right.
Edgar : Okay. Maybe you want to talk to her Terra... I mean...
Terra : (Smiling) Sure! After all, she needs help from the feminine side.
Locke : And what does that means?
Terra didn't say anything. She turned her head and smiled at Locke. Edgar gave her the medallion. She walked slowly in the direction of a thoughtful Mina.
Terra : Hey Mina... How are you?
Mina : Oh Terra! I'm okay...
Terra : That doesn't seem like it... You miss your world, your friends, don't you?
Mina : Of course. But the thing running in my head is will I ever be able to see them again? Will I ever able to eat some of Lita's cooking, get advice from Amy, hear Raye argue, and see the smile of Serena?
Terra : Mina...
Mina turned herself, and hugged Terra as hard as she could. She was the person Mina had the most confidence in this world, because she always supported her since she got here. A tear fell from one of her eye. Terra didn't do nothing, and hug her back. Locke and Edgar were looking at the scene in the back, speechless.
Terra : Mina, we thought maybe your medallion could help us solve this mystery...
Mina : My medallion?
Terra : Yes... The snow medallion you have. Maybe if we join them together...
Mina : It's worth to try.
Terra was walking back, holding Mina with one arm. They joined with Edgar and Locke again.
Locke : You okay Mina?
Mina : I'll be fine... Thank you Locke.
Edgar : I know this is tough for you Mina. Just be strong.
Mina : Thank you... Thank you all of you... my friends.
Terra : (Smiling) See? You made friends here also. We'll support you.
Edgar, Locke and Terra were smiling at this last remarks. Mina was smiling too. Terra approached herself of Mina, and put the black medallion over the snow one of Mina. Nothing happened. She tried putting the snow medallion over the black medallion. It didn't work either. Mina felt a weird energy coming from the black medallion.
Mina : Hmm Terra? Can I hold it for a minute?
Terra : Sure Mina...
Terra gave the medallion to Mina. As soon as she took it in her hand, an orange aura surrounded her. Terra took some step back from Mina. Her hair was floating all around her, and the black medallion was glowing. Some smoke got out of the medallion, forming a big ball. Finally, the smoke cleared out, and Mina fell to her knees. A large scream filled the room, as a black bird opened his beak.
Edgar : It's...
Locke : ...a black chocobo!
The black chocobo flapped its wings slowly. It looked around, and its eyes met with the ones of Mina. It opened its beak, letting another scream out, and approached itself slowly of Mina.
Terra : Look out Mina... It may be wild and attack.
Mina : I don't think so... Its eyes are clear.
Locke : What?
The bird was right besides Mina. She lift an hand, and the chocobo smelt it. It sat down, and was still looking at Mina. The group watched her, as she was getting on the beast.
Edgar : Mina! What are you doing?
She sat on the back of the creature. As soon as she was on it, she glowed in a bright white. She looked one last time at her friends, and smiled. And in a instant, she disappeared...
End Chapter 4