Dissidia: Returning Home 012 chapter 3: Vaan's beginning
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Dissidia Final Fantasy, Square Enix game
Last chap we explored where Lightning went off to. Now here we are with another character who fought valiantly for Cosmos. Vaan was kinda tough for me, especially since not a lot of references show where he is story wise in his respective game. But I figured that this scenario will work. Alright with no further a due, have fun.
Rabanastre, Garamsythe Waterways- Vaan remained knocked out in the underground where he would practice swordplay for the day he became a sky pirate. It has been two years since Dalamasca surrendered to the Archadian Empire. It was a moment of despair for the people who consequently suffered imperial rule.
The surrender was brought due to the overwhelming strength of their troops as well as the betrayal of Basch, who slayed King Raminas, ruler of Dalmasca and father of once future queen Ashelia. Afterwards Ashe, presumably due to despair from losing her future husband and father died as well.
Vaan slowly woke up as he began to remember the strangely familiar area. Suddenly, he clenched his fists instinctively as memories flooded into him like a burst of flood water from a broken dam. Memories of the betrayal that took his brother, Reks, away from him two years ago. Memories of the poverty he and his childhood friend, Penelo have been forced to live in. Memories...of the the nation that started all of this.
In a flash over rage Vaan slammed his fists, protected in his gauntlet, in the concrete floor under him. The echoing clash caught the attention of several sewer rats as they scamper about for food. Vaan looked up, his fury quelled if ever so slightly. A broad sword lays a few feet from him. Vaan stood up and picked the sword up by the hilt.
As he examined the sword hilt to blade, a bizarre image appeared in his head. It was strange, as though it came from that bizarre dream he had before awakening. In that dream he was fighting millions of what apeared to be carbon copies of warriors that he knew.
One particular warrior used a strange yet dangerous gun but he had terrible sense of direction. Vaan chuckled at the strange recollection for he remembered constantly mocking him. Then there was one other, a woman, who led him and the others into that fight. Aside from her was a young girl with a staff, a dark knight in dragon armor, and a female brawler.
Then, there was another. A memory of a girl who, although she didn't want to, she was dragged into the conflict as his enemy. Yet, Vaan remembered rescuing her and promising that he can bring her to his side in the fight. But then Vaan came to a painful recollection. "Who...were those people?" He asked quietly to himself, feeling a little disheartened that he couldn't even remember their names.
"Hey Vaan! Hurry it up or they'll find us!" Vaan turned and recognized the voice. Kytes, he was one of the orphans who lives with him in lowtown. With new confidence in his replied to his young friend. "I know I know. Just a little more." He points to the large rodents before continuing. "You keep an eye for me up their would ya Kytes?" Kytes nods happily before leaving for look out.
Vaan then turned his attention to the rats and readies himself in a fighting stance, sword in hand. "One, two,...three more.." He counted silently before smiling confidently. "Alright, time to clean the house." He said before beginning his 'training'.
Rabanastre, market- Later that day Vaan had pick pocketed one of the Archadian soldiers, who was harassing a merchant on his way to Migelo, his caretaker. Afterward on he took cover on a bridge while the guards eventually lose interest. Despite the thrill, his mind however was on other things. That bizarre dream of his felt...too real.
However, his distraction caught up to him when the loot he had in his hand was suddenly snatched from under his nose. In a panic he looked around quickly only to face eye to eye with his childhood friend Penelo. She gave him a quick glare as she looked him over. "Hey that's mine!" Vaan glared back. "What do you mean by that? You were stealing again huh?" She retorted, to his annoyance.
"Besides," She said looking into the small bag. "I thought this was the property of the people of Dalmasca." She mocked with a joking smirk before getting serious again. Already expecting a lecture Vaan began walking past her.
"What if you got caught Vaan? We need you to be there for us, especially the younger kids." She lectured like a mother would her child. "Oh, and I'm the leader all of a sudden?" Vaan countered nonchalantly as he walked off with his hands over the back of his head. "You're no good to anyone locked in a dungeon!" She exclaimed. Vaan sighed heavily. "I know that.."
He then turned to her. "You think I enjoy living like this?" Just then a large airship soared over the pair, catching the youth's attention. Penelo looked at her friend's eyes as they were filled with longing. "One of these days...I'll be free to go where ever...I'll be a sky pirate..." He said with a sad smile. Penelo smiled as well before smacking him hard in the back.
"Say what you will! It'll still be a dream if your locked in a dungeon." She joked, managing to make her friend laugh. Just then Vaan was reminded of something. "A dream..." He then turned to Penelo. "Hey Penelo do you have time right now?" Blushing faintly from his sudden question, she nodded quickly. "Ok, I got this crazy dream while I was out-"
Penelo then interrupted "You were sleeping too?" Vaan groaned as Penelo looked annoyed. "That's not the point! anyway here's how it went..." Vaan then told Penelo about his odd dream while he was out training. The dream was of Vaan being in a completely different world from here in Rabanastre. Unlike in Ivalice, where conflict between kingdoms were slowly calming down, this world was forever doomed to an endless war.
It was a war between Harmony and Discord. "I remember...fighting for this Goddess named...named...Her name was..." Vaan tried desperately to remember the goddess he was cooperating with and the events of his dream. All he could see were fuzzy images of figures, obviously they were the warriors that fought beside him. "Well...there's on thing I know I'll always remember..."
Penelo listened intensely, knowing full well about her friend's frustration. "There was this guy...He had long, black hair. He...was a complete idiot..." He chuckled humorously in the fading memory. "He always gets lost...used a weird gun...and.." Before he realised it, Vaan had a small tear trailed down his cheek, almost invisible to Penelo.
She however noticed and looked at her friend with sympathy. "Vaan.." He wiped his eyes subconsciously and went on, knowing that these memories of his dream were disappearing quickly. "There was also this girl...She was captured by the enemy I think and...I remember saving her...I think..then...I don't...remember anymore..." Vaan felt extremely frustrated with himself until he felt Penelo's hand on his shoulder.
"It's ok Vaan. It was just a dream, right?" She stated in comfort. Vaan nodded, unsure on how to respond. "Yeah, I know but...It felt...So real.." Penelo frowned, hoping Vaan could snap out of this depressed mood. "Anyway, you should check in on Migelo. I think he's been looking for you." She said before running off. She then turned to Vaan with her usual big smile and exclaimed cheerfully, "And don't get yourself locked up, future sky pirate!" Before disappearing in the crowd.
Vaan's attitude then changed for the better as the last of his memories of the his dream fades away. He then left the bridge towards Migelo's shop, ready for his next errand from the elder bangaa. Little did he know that the events of this day will shape the youth's future and force him against the empire itself.
Thus began Vaan's new adventure in the world of Final Fantasy XII
Sorry it took a while everyone :)
Vaan personally is not really my most favored character in FF in general but even he deserves a nice story (Shame he was not the main 'hero' just a spectator in the action) I bet some are wondering "What's with the tear and teen angst?" Understandable ^_^
just imagine having an awesome dream where you made friends with a group of entirely different people then the dream ends and you can barely remember anything about them or the dream's events. It may have been a dream but it was your reality at the time right? Anyway that was my reason.
Now everyone I appreciate that alot of you favorite this (Are you kidding I LOVE IT 8D!) But I would also like some feed back and reviews on my little story here. I bet some people would want that as well but hey it's just me :)
Back to business, Our next character will be -drum roll- Laguna! That lovable goof who was referenced in this little chap and happens to be Squall's future father (course y'all knew this) Til next time folks, see ya!