A/N: 2024.11.10
Ladies and gentlemen and dreamers, I hope you enjoyed the preludes before this main story. I've been planning this for a very long time. This and the Sailor Moon story I'm about to start the second part soon are near and dear to my heart because they are ideas I've played around since I was in high school/college. For a little history, Suikoden was the first RPG I ever played; before that, I had no interest in the entire genre. But, after Suikoden, I played FFVII and FFVIII, which VIII is tied with FFXII for my favorite Final Fantasy game, and I've loved the series ever since. From the stories, to the music, to the characters, to the gameplay, I'm a diehard Final Fantasy fan. And writing this story has been a joy for me.
Now, for some explanations, the "World of Destin" is the name I gave the world of FFVIII since there is no official name for that world. I know Earth is easy but that's too easy. I have to make things different. Of course, Gaia is for FFVII.
Chapter 1: Who is Lukas Gideon?
World of Destin. Balamb Garden.
"Who is Lukas Gideon?" Squall asked. "I'll gladly tell you. When all the madness of Sorceress Adel began… he helped defend this Garden every chance he got. When the Sorceress had Galbadia attack us via Galbadia Garden, Lukas protected students, fought the enemy, and never gave up. He absolutely puts his best foot forward, no matter the task. Even before those incidents… when I was just a cadet, if I had a problem or needed help studying for something, Lukas was there. I was actually surprised we didn't learn he grew up with me and the others in Edea's Orphanage. Yes, Lukas took a couple of years to collect himself and travel, but, given the years he put in before, he was more than entitled to a break. But after he was returned, Lukas was clearly more focused than ever. He's a good friend, a strong person, and one of the best SeeDs any Garden has ever produced. I strongly recommend Lukas Gideon for the position of Instructor at Balamb Garden."
Cid smiled and applauded. "Well done, Squall!"
They were in the Headmaster's Office. Squall wanted to practice his speech in front of Cid to see make sure he hadn't missed anything.
Squall smiled, "Thanks."
"Very stirring, indeed!" Cid congratulated again. "I'm sure the committee will agree with you when it comes to Lukas."
"I hope so," Squall shrugged.
"Are you sure you want to mention the orphanage?"
"I am. I know everyone sees how close I am with Quistis, Selphie, Zell, and Irvine. For me to defend anyone I didn't grow up with, outside of Rinoa, is strange. To everyone else, anyway. I want to make it clear that Luka not growing up with us in the orphanage doesn't influence my decision. He deserves this because of who he is. Not for who I remember him to be."
Cid nodded, understandingly. "You make a very strong case for Lukas."
"He's a good friend," Squall shrugged. "Like I said… he gets overlooked a lot."
"I couldn't agree more. I'm pulling for him, too."
"Thanks."
World of Gaia. Edge.
Cloud drove Fenrir back into town, after three days on the road. He sighed and parked Fenrir next to 7th Heaven and got off.
"Cloud," a voice called out.
Cloud looked to see Vincent, leaning against a wall. "Oh. Hey, Vincent."
"You have a minute?"
"Sure. What's going on?"
"Yuffie wants us to have dinner with you and Tifa tonight," Vincent informed.
Cloud paused. "Yuffie convinced you this is a good idea?"
Vincent just grunted.
"I bet Tifa's all for it."
"Yep."
"Of course." Cloud exhaled. "So… why are you here already?"
"Yuffie wanted to come to town, early, and spend the day with Shelke. They wanted… some girl time first."
"So… why are you here?"
"Yuffie told me I needed to socialize more," Vincent replied.
"And?"
Vincent fell silent.
Cloud chuckled. He got the message loud and clear.
"I'm gonna find somewhere to sit for a while," Vincent informed.
"You can come inside," Cloud pointed at the bar.
"Thank you, but… I never get to be alone anymore, for better or for worse. I think I'll enjoy it for a little while."
"Can't say I blame you." Cloud smirked slightly. "So much for that socializing thing."
Vincent froze. "Please, don't tell Yuffie."
"I promise. See you tonight then."
As Vincent left, Cloud walked inside the bar. He found Tifa cleaning one of the tables with only three patrons at a far table, playing cards.
Tifa looked up at Cloud and smiled, "Oh, hey!"
"Hey," Cloud approached. He sat at the bar, "I'm back."
"How was it?"
"Not bad. Took longer than I wanted."
"Well!" She walked over and kissed him. "I'm glad you're back."
He smiled a bit, "Me, too."
Tifa walked around the bar, "You see Vincent?"
"Yeah, he told me about tonight." Cloud raised an eyebrow. "And why didn't you tell me?"
"Because, like him, you would've made up a reason to be elsewhere."
Cloud glared at her but relented. He looked around, "Where's Denzel?"
"Hanging out with Marlene and some friends," Tifa began washing some glasses.
Cloud rested his crossed arms on the bar. "Hey, Tifa?" he asked.
She looked up, "Yeah?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
"Sure."
"Have you… still been thinking about Lukas?"
Tifa stopped. She dried her hands and exhaled, "Actually? Yeah. It's so weird. Like… I can't shake this feeling. I can't even explain it. Like…"
"He's out there somewhere?" Cloud asked. "Still alive."
"Exactly! I can… practically feel it. It's like… ever since the first time I had that dream, I—"
"Wait!" Cloud interrupted. "You had a dream about him, too?"
"'Too'?"
"That's why I was thinking about him. I had a dream… dreams, actually. I just… saw him, smiling at me. Like when we were kids. But… he was older."
Tifa's eyes widened. "Me, too. Cloud, I… I had that same dream!"
Cloud looked off and exhaled. "What could that mean?"
World of Destin. Balamb Garden.
Lukas suddenly awoke with a start, breathing hard. He looked down at the book he was sleeping on. He was sitting at one of the large tables in the Library, right in the middle of studying, and didn't even realize he fell asleep. "Whoa…" he whispered.
"Lukas?" Quistis asked.
Lukas looked at her then his eyes widened. "Quistis!"
"Are you alright?"
Lukas quickly rubbed his eyes, "Uh… yeah, yeah!" He hastily grabbed some books that were threatening to fall, stacking them back up properly on the table.
She smiled. "Everything okay?"
He paused. "Yeah. I… think." He stopped again. "Have you ever… had a dream… that… didn't feel like a dream? But… like a memory?"
"Some dreams are like that," Quistis giggled.
Lukas chuckled a bit, "Yeah. Fair."
"But, honestly? Yeah, I know how you feel. It kinda became common for us. Me, Squall, Selphie, Irvine, and Zell, I mean. But… it was different, especially after Ellone sent our minds back into the past."
"I can't even imagine how that felt. I remember when Squall told me about that stuff. Just… crazy to hear all of that."
"He did?" Quistis asked.
"Yeah. He always tells me about his missions."
Quistis froze at the very notion of something like that. "Since when does Squall tell anyone anything?"
"He has since we were cadets," Lukas explained.
"Really?" Quistis blinked. "I just thought he always ignored you when you guys hung out."
"Oh, he did that, too," Lukas chuckled. "Still does. It's never bothered me. He's always listening, though. Even if he doesn't always respond. He's a good guy."
Quistis shrugged, "Eh. He's not bad."
Lukas chuckled then looked off, his smile slowly falling away.
Quistis looked him over. In all the times they had been acquainted, she hadn't known Lukas to be really downtrodden. He had his sad moments, like anyone else, but he was never gloomy or despondent. The opposite was true, in fact. He was a kind, considerate man with a positive outlook on life; his statuesque and athletic figure was only intimidating when he was in the heat of battle. It also didn't hurt that Quistis found Lukas to be extremely attractive. His 6'3" athletic frame, dark skin, and long dreadlocks had become the focus of many of her daydreams in recent months. Even when Quistis had her previous romantic feelings for Squall, a part of her held a spot for Lukas. Since she had resolved her feelings for Squall, Quistis found herself far more and more enthralled with Lukas.
What she didn't know was how much that vice had always been versa, since Lukas had held a soft spot for Quistis for years.
For now, Quistis was legitimately concerned about Lukas's demeanor. "That dream," she sat down. "It… seems like this has been bothering you a lot."
"Yeah," Lukas admitted. "I… keep having the same dream. But… I don't know why."
"Why don't, uh…" Quistis tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, clearing her throat. "Why don't… you tell me about it?"
"My dream? Are you sure?"
"Sure. I… have some free time. Maybe we can… figure out what the dream means."
Lukas stared at her, hoping he wasn't staring too hard. "Well… if you're… okay with hearing me drone on… I… I, uh, don't mind."
"I'd like to hear it," Quistis replied, trying not to blush. "If you… have time."
"Absolutely!" Lukas's eyes widened. "That is… if you're sure you have time. I don't wanna keep you."
"I'm all yours."
Lukas smiled. "Okay! Okay. Umm…" He cleared his throat. "Well… I start off in this… mountain town, I guess."
"Okay," Quistis nodded. "Is it a place you recognize?"
"That's the thing. I… feel like I should know it. Like… I really should. Like it's important to me… but… I don't know the name of it."
"Any idea where it is?"
"None at all. I don't recognize any of the settings of the town. What's even weirder is… I see these two people. This blonde-haired guy and this girl with long black hair. They start off as kids then they become adults. And…" Lukas paused a moment. "They… talk to me like they know me."
"Do you know their names?" Quistis inquired.
"No clue. They never say, either. But… like the town… I feel like I should know. They… tell me that it'll all be fine. That we'll see each other soon. That… we have to stick together… no matter what."
Quistis looked off, deep in thought. A dream like that could mean anything or nothing at all. But, as deeply as it was bothering Lukas, it had to mean something. "Hmm," she said. "That… could mean you have something deep in your memories trying to get out."
"True. Or…" Lukas shrugged, "it could mean nothing and I'm freaking out over nothing."
"I wouldn't say freaking out and I don't call it nothing. If it's bothering you, it's something. Meaning it's important."
"Maybe." Lukas exhaled. "I'm sorry, Quistis. Seriously. But this probably really doesn't mean anything. I… probably just wasted your time."
"No, not at all! I'm just… I'm sorry I can't help."
Lukas chuckled a bit, "It's okay. It's just a dream, I guess."
"But it really bothers you," Quistis noted.
"Yeah. I guess. I just… feel like I'm missing something."
"Well, if I can do anymore… then… ya know, just let me know."
"Sure thing."
Quistis fidgeted for a moment. "Um… sorry if I bothered you…"
"Oh, not at all," Lukas countered. "In fact… you can stay. I mean… if you're not busy."
Quistis smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear again. "Just… had some papers to grade. I… guess I can do that here… if you're okay with that."
"Very."
World of Gaia. Edge.
That evening, Cloud, Tifa, Vincent, and Yuffie were having dinner. Yuffie dominated a lot of the conversation while Tifa joined in more than Cloud and Vincent. After a while, Tifa began to fall silent and pushed her food around, absentmindedly.
It didn't take long for Yuffie to notice Tifa's silence. "Tifa?" Yuffie asked.
"Hm?" Tifa replied.
"You okay?"
Tifa took a deep breath and exhaled, "Yeah. Just… my mind's been elsewhere lately."
"What's up?" Yuffie asked.
Tifa looked at Cloud, "Think it's okay to tell 'em?"
"It's not like it'll hurt anything," Cloud shrugged.
Tifa nodded in agreement. She looked at Yuffie and Vincent, "It's really nothing but… I've…" she motioned toward Cloud, "we've… been having these dreams lately. About an old friend of ours from Nibelheim."
"Cloud had friends besides you?" Yuffie asked Tifa.
"Did I do something to you?" Cloud, offendedly, asked Yuffie.
"No. It's just hard to imagine you as a kid with friends who weren't Tifa."
Cloud stared at Yuffie. "No, really, what did I do?"
"Yuffie," Vincent chided.
"Okay, okay," Yuffie smiled, mischievously. "But, seriously, what about your friend?"
"His name was Lukas," Tifa answered. "Lukas Gideon. We grew up together in Nibelheim. He was little younger than me and Cloud but…" She exhaled.
"He was a really nice kid," Cloud continued. "Felt like… he was the only friend I had for a long time."
"After everyone else blamed you for my fall, you're really not wrong," Tifa advised.
"Do you know what happened to him?" Yuffie asked.
Tifa fell still. "The last time I saw him… was that day in Nibelheim."
Yuffie and Vincent almost felt the sorrow radiating from Cloud and Tifa.
"Oh," Yuffie shied back. "I'm sorry, guys."
"It's okay, Yuffie," Tifa replied. "But thanks."
Yuffie looked at Cloud, "Seriously, I take back the teasing."
"It's fine," Cloud replied. "More than likely, I deserved it."
Yuffie giggled a bit.
"Why do you think he's on your mind now?" Vincent asked.
"No idea," Cloud answered. "We've just been thinking about him off and on for a while. Ever since the dreams. He was a really nice kid."
"Dreams?" Yuffie asked.
"When did the dreams start?" Vincent asked.
Tifa blinked. "About… two weeks ago?"
"Yeah, same," Cloud confirmed.
"And your friend's in the dreams?" Yuffie asked. "I mean, like, he's the main focus?"
"Yeah."
Vincent sat back. "That feels like something more."
"Yeah," Cloud nodded. "That crossed my mind, too."
"Same," Tifa nodded as well.
"But how much more?" Yuffie asked.
"That… is a great question."
World of Gaia. Rocket Town.
That night, Barrett and Cid were talking and laughing as they sat outside of Cid and Shera's house. Barrett was smoking a cigar while Cid was smoking a cigarette. As they conversed, they looked up at the night's sky and caught sight of a swift glimmer in the sky.
"What the…" Cid stood up.
"You saw that, too, right?" Barret stood, as well. "I wasn't just seeing things?"
"Unless we both are."
"Cid?" Shera asked.
"Out here," Cid called out.
Shera walked outside and noticed his and Barret's gazes. She looked at the sky. "What's wrong?"
"Thought we saw something," Cid replied.
"Like what?"
"That's a good question," Barret answered.
World of Gaia. Edge.
Vincent and Yuffie were walking down the street when Yuffie hopped in front of Vincent, bringing him to a stop. "Hey," Yuffie said, causing Vincent to look at her. "Thanks for coming to the dinner and all." She fidgeted a bit, "It… meant a lot to me."
Vincent blushed a bit. "You're welcome."
Yuffie kissed him on the cheek. "You're really great."
Vincent looked away, his blush intensifying.
Yuffie giggled, softly. She looked up at the sky, noticing something. "Vincent…?"
Vincent looked up and saw it, as well.
A red shimmer subtly appearing in the sky. They stared at it for a few seconds before it disappeared.
Yuffie let out a breath, "What… was that?"
"I don't know," Vincent answered. "But I've seen it before."
World of Destin. Deling City.
General Caraway walked into the command base. "Did it happen again?"
"Yes, sir," a soldier handed him a file.
Caraway opened it, showing pictures of a red sliver in the sky. "And we still have no idea what this means?"
"No, sir. It's only been a couple of weeks, but these appear daily, somewhere on the planet."
"Any word from Esthar?"
"President Laguna's people are working on it, as well, but they're not sure either."
World of Destin. Esthar.
From one of the scientific observation rooms, Laguna, Kiros, and Ward looked at the screen as the recording of another red glimmer played on the screen.
"We're absolutely sure this isn't Sorceress Adel or Ultimecia?" Laguna asked.
"Positive," Kiros confirmed. "The energy signature isn't like anything we've ever seen. Even Odine is at a loss. What's worse is they don't appear in any one place. It's always random. Never in same stretch of sky twice."
Laguna took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"Laguna?"
"I don't know," Laguna preempted. "I just know I don't like it."
World of Gaia. World Regenesis Organization (WRO) Headquarters.
Reeve walked into the control room and looked at the screen. "Again?"
"Yes, sir," a WRO soldier replied.
Reeve just stared at the screen.
"Sir… what does this mean?"
Reeve slowly shook his head, "I have no idea."
World of Destin. Balamb Garden.
The following day, late in the afternoon, Lukas was walking out of the library when he heard someone call out to him.
"HEY, LUKA!" Selphie shouted.
Lukas turned to see Selphie, Irvine, and Zell, whom he privately dubbed the Balamb Three, approaching him. Even though Irvine and Selphie were from Galbadia Garden and Trabia Garden, respectively, they belonged to Balamb Garden as much anyone, and they got along with Zell better than anyone. Previously, Lukas figured part of it was due to their shared pasts, as Squall had explained, but, after defeating Ultimecia, Lukas found Selphie, Irvine, and Zell to be closer friends than ever. Selphie and Irvine dating seemed to add to their camaraderie as well.
"Hey, guys," Lukas smiled.
"Luka, my man!" Irvine walked up next to Lukas and clapped his hand down on Lukas's shoulder. "You're hanging with us tonight!"
"I am?"
"You are," Zell answered. "You've been doing nothing but study for weeks!"
"I'm trying to get to my Instructor certification," Lukas shrugged.
"Oh, who in the hell is gonna not say 'yes' to you about that?"
"It's possible!"
"No, it's not," Irvine joked.
"You can take a night off!" Selphie said to Lukas. "You study more than Quistis, and that is the saddest thing I've ever said!"
"I aspire to be like her! She's one of the best."
Zell and Irvine shared a knowing look.
"Yeah, yeah," Selphie said. "She's the smartest person any of us know. Anyway! You need a night off!"
Lukas thought for a moment. "I don't know, Selph. You know parties and me don't mix. I just end up standing against a wall and staring at the floor."
"Unless we make you sing! Which is always fun!"
"Singing is fun for me."
"This will be, too!" Selphie insisted. "C'mon! It's one night!"
Lukas exhaled, uncertainly. "I dunno…"
"Quisty'll be there," Selphie smiled.
Lukas blinked. "Well. I guess I can go. I mean, it's one night. It's not like it'll kill me."
Zell, Irvine, and Selphie laughed.
"What?"
"Nothing, my dude!" Zell clapped Lukas's other shoulder. "Get yourself ready! We're headed for Deling in about half an hour or so!"
Lukas chuckled, "Alright, alright."
"Meet us at the car port when you're ready," Irvine instructed.
"Okay. See ya in a bit!" Lukas walked off to his room.
Once he was gone, they laughed again.
"I knew mentioning Quisty would work!" Selphie smiled.
"Always does with that guy," Irvine chuckled.
"We all know they totally like each other, right?" Zell asked. "Luka and Quistis?"
"Oh, yeah," Irvine agreed, immediately.
"Absolutely!" Selphie chimed in just as quickly.
A couple of hours later, after leaving Balamb and taking the train to Deling, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis, and Lukas were at the home of Tina, a former SeeD, who moved to Deling after becoming a train conductor. As the party went on, Quistis and Lukas were standing against the wall, watching Selphie and Irvine on the dance floor and Zell enjoying the snack table.
As close as they were, Quistis moved her arm and accidentally brushed her hand against Lukas's. They turned toward each other then swiftly looked away. They looked back at each other and smiled, letting out quick laughs.
"Look, I'm terrible at dancing…" Lukas admitted.
"Preaching to the choir," Quistis replied.
"But… do you… think… you… might wanna… try… with me?"
Quistis's face turned as red as possible. She looked away for a moment and took a deep breath. She looked back at him. "O-Only if… you're… willing to deal with me… stepping on your toes?"
Lukas smiled. "Sounds like a worthwhile risk."
Quistis smiled back.
He offered his hand to her, and she took it.
They made their way to the dance floor. The song was playing was on the fast side, not Quistis's typical style. Then again, very little music was. But, this time, it felt entirely right.
Lukas arrived at the Garden after Squall and knew Squall and Quistis for nearly the same amount of time. While Lukas always suspected Quistis had a thing for Squall ever since they met, it never stopped Lukas from finding Quistis attractive. After Squall and the others defeated the Sorceress, Lukas found himself with more opportunities to talk to Quistis. With Squall and Rinoa being a couple, Lukas enjoyed getting to know Quistis more without the worry about Squall deciding to make a move on Quistis, as unlikely as that was regardless, even before Rinoa. Despite Squall and Rinoa being together, Lukas still hadn't had the courage to actually ask Quistis out yet.
Quistis was worried she was getting her hopes up and just imagining Lukas was attracted to her. She enjoyed Lukas's company and always thought he was brilliant. Quistis was more than over her previous feelings for Squall, genuinely happy for him and Rinoa, but Quistis feared she was just reaching out for someone and all these feelings for Lukas were in her head and one-sided.
As they were dancing, any feelings of doubt on either side were fading further and further away. Quistis usually didn't dance, and, even if she did, never this freely. But between the music, the atmosphere, and especially Lukas, she felt her inhibitions lower a bit. Lukas was a long way from complaining. Seeing this side of Quistis made her even more attractive. As they were dancing, Quistis danced with Lukas behind her, pressing herself up against him. They looked into each other's eyes and the last bit of doubt was dying.
Observing Quistis and Lukas from the off the dance floor, Selphie, Zell, and Irvine stared at the couple with their eyes wide and mouths agape.
Irvine blinked, "Have you ever seen Quistis—"
"No!" Zell and Selphie said, simultaneously.
Quistis and Lukas danced until the song ended and the DJ switched songs. Afterwards, they laughed and left the dance floor. Lukas and Quistis walked outside to the balcony for some fresh air, finding they couldn't stop laughing.
"I can't believe I did that!" Quistis covered her face.
"You were great!" Lukas laughed. "For someone who 'can't dance'!"
"I can't dance!"
"Then what was that?"
"I guess I was just…" Quistis stopped, still holding her smile. "…I felt comfortable."
Lukas held his smile. "I'm glad."
They shifted their gaze to the water, leaning on the balcony. "I love the sea," Lukas whispered.
"Yeah?" Quistis asked.
"Yeah. It's like… when I see it… it's still new. It's a great way to travel. Go anywhere. It's always mysterious and exciting."
"That was beautiful."
Lukas chuckled, slightly. "Sorry. I guess I get too poetic sometimes."
"I don't mind," Quistis smiled. "Lukas… I'm… really glad you came out tonight. I was nervous about coming to this party… until Selphie said she was going to ask you to come along."
Lukas chuckled a bit. "Well, to tell the truth…" He rubbed back of his neck, "I… only came along because Selphie, Zell, and Irvine said… you'd be here."
Quistis blushed again. "Oh. Oh! Oh! I, uh… Okay! That… that…" She smiled. "Thank you."
Lukas tapped his hand, nervously. "I… I've been wanting to ask you something. For… like a long time, but… a lot of things… mostly fear… stopped me."
"Okay." She took a breath. "So… ask."
"Would… you… well, um…" He took a breath and focused. "Would you like to go out… sometime… with me?"
"Yes!" Quistis replied, immediately. She blushed harder. "I mean… s-sure. If you want… which you do… since you asked. I'm sorry. I'm ruining this."
He laughed.
She slapped her hands on her face and groaned. She lowered her hands, "You can absolutely rescind that offer, if you want."
"Not a chance," Lukas admitted. "It took me forever to build enough confidence to ask you out in the first place. No way I'm backing out. I want to take you out. As long as you want to."
Quistis smiled. "I would love that."
"Awesome."
Quistis looked inside and saw Xu and Nida arrive. "Xu?"
Lukas looked inside, "Seriously? I didn't know she came to parties."
"Neither did I. And with Nida!" Quistis looked at Lukas, "Mind if we… continue this in a few minutes?"
"Absolutely. Be right there."
"Okay." Quistis stopped. She looked at him, "And… Lukas?"
"Yeah?" Lukas asked.
"Thanks for dancing with me."
"Thank you."
"Wanna do it again sometime?"
"So much, yes!"
Quistis smiled and headed inside.
Content and relieved, Lukas stared at her then looked back at the water.
But, gradually, time seemed to slow and the world turned grey.
Then he heard a voice.
"Lukas," it said. The voice was pleasant and calming, seemingly belonging to a woman. But it also seemed to be laced with fear. "It's almost time."
"What…" Lukas whispered.
"We're so sorry for the burden you must carry. We've tried. But we need you, Lukas. You must fight. Please. We're counting on you."
Lukas felt a twinge of fear. But, also, a sense of calm and anticipation. Like, somehow, something was supposed to happen. Something he knew was about to happen. "I… don't understand."
"I know," the voice replied. "But you will. When it's time… you won't be alone. I promise."
Slowly, time returned to its normal flow, and all of the color of the world was restored.
"What…" Lukas shook his head. "…what was that?"
The Void.
Yildrim walked around the dark red crystal. "Everything seems to be in place. Very well!" He raised his hand and flowed his power into the crystal. "Let us begin…"
World A.
Evangeline walked into the Crystal Sanctuary and stared at the crystal as it glowed subtly. "It's him. He's… attacking again." She gritted her teeth. "Yildrim… what madness are you attempting now?"
A/N: Alright! We're off and running? Who is Lukas? Who is Yildrim? Who is Evangeline? World A?! We're just getting started, dreamers!