//------------------------------// // Disc 2 - Part 2 // Story: Setting Sun of Thieves // by Shadow Hero //------------------------------// Zidane found comfort in one of the many rooms Celestia had offered his group to relax. As he got out of the shower, someone had come knock at the door. “Give me a second.” He called out as he got dressed in a black version of his regular clothes. He opened the door and saw Rainbow. “Dinner is ready.” She said. “That's cool, but I'm going to head out to eat. Fancy food isn't really my thing.” Zidane said as he closed the door behind him. “Where exactly? Every place in town is mostly destroyed.” She said following Zidane. “You just need to know where to look.” He said putting his hands behind his head as they walked to the entrance of the castle. At the dining hall, everyone else was waiting for Zidane and Rainbow to arrive so they could begin their meal. “My they're taking their time.” Rarity said as she finished a guard walked in and whispered to Celestia. “It seems they will not be joining us,” Celestia said as the guard left. “Typical,” Sunset said rolling her eyes as Luna walked in. “But before we start, may I have a word with Twilight and Sunset?” Celestia asked as she stood. The two looked to each other before following her. Out in the hall, Raven stood holding a box. “In here is a powerful artifact that we can no longer control,” Luna said as Raven opened the box. Both looked in and saw a royal blue sphere broken into two fragments. “So what do they do Princess?” Twilight asked as Sunset picked up one half. “It has Eidolon energy,” Sunset said with her eyes closed so she can sens the energy within the said fragment. “Yes, a very powerful one that takes a master summoner to summon,” Luna explained. “And with you two combined you can summon it,” Celestia said taking the other half and handing it to Twilight. “Princess, I don’t-” “Twilight you have shown yourself you are far more capable in handling this,” Celestia said with a smile as she looked straight into Twilight's eye. “I’ll do my best princess,” Twilight said with a confident nod. “Now go, eat with your friends, I think Sunset and I need to catch up,” Celestia said as both Luna and Twilight made their way back to the dining hall. “So why now? Why give this to me all of a sudden?” Sunset asked looking down at the fragment in her hand. “Like Twilight you have shown that you are ready for this…” “I have known you all my life so I know there is a but coming,” Sunset said looking up to her old mentor. “With my sister and I no longer blessed by Cosmos, the summon would go out of control with no one to stop it. But in your hands, it can be used to help in the upcoming fight.” Celestia said calmly. “Come, you must be hungry. Let’s go eat.” And as those within the castle began their feast, Zidane and Rainbow walked through the ruins of town through a rather unsavoury looking street. “Where did you say you're going?” Rainbow asked. “Its a place in the slums, and don't worry its a nice place.” Zidane said as they passed very shady looking shops. They walked up a bar that read ‘7 Heaven.’ As they passed the door a shot was fired that Zidane ducked. “What did I tell you?” A Bangaa(a lizard-like race) asked, still aiming a gun at Zidane. “I have your money right here,” Zidane said pulling out a sack of Gill. The Bangaa eyed the sac before taking it. “How can I serve you?” He said with a smile. “Just the usual,” Zidane said taking a seat at a table. “How did you get so much money?” Rainbow said setting right in front of Zidane. “I sold an arm for it.” “You mean an arm and leg?” “Nope, a will mechanically arm,” Zidane said as the waitress put down two glasses of beer. “Ahh,” Rainbow said staring at the glass in front of her. “Oh, right you don't drink do you,” Zidane said grabbing his glass. “Ptzz, this is nothing compared to AJ’s cider.” She said taking a swig and then started to cough. “You don’t need to chug it down so fast,” Zidane said shaking his head. “Anyway not into the food at the castle as well?” He asked as he took a more moderate sip. “Yep….” She said not looking at him. “Something you're not telling me.” “Well… Cid and the others got petrified when you guys left and I’m not sure if you knew or not.” She said taking a small sip this time. “I was told… So am guessing you and Yuna have been trying to find a way to reverse it?” Zidane asked as the waitress handed them a menu. “So far, nothing’s come up. But there's gotta be a way...maybe...” “I asked, and Cosmos doesn't like to interfere with us mortals too often,” Zidane said with a shaking his head. “Oh…” Rainbow said looking rather downtrodden. “But, she did say someone out there knows a spell to reverse it, and that she is hard to find,” Zidane said as the waitress came back and took their order... “So what? I have to wait and see if this person lands in my lap or something?” Rainbow asked, a hint of annoyance to her voice. “She is a warrior of Cosmos, so she is bound to show up. Anyway, let's not dwell on this and just have a good time. ” Zidane raised his glass. “To the fight ahead.” He said, and with a smile, Rainbow clanked her glass. The night went on as they drank and ate to their heart's content...until morning that is. “Get up you lazy baboon, this is not a hotel.” The barkeep said splashing cold water all over Zidane, who was sprawled out on a table “I’m up! I’m up!” He said as he shot up and looked around. “Hey, where's Rainbow?” “She left with someone late last night. Couldn’t tell who and don’t care.” The barkeep said with a shrug. “Thanks for the heads up.” Zidane said as he got up. Twilight was pacing around the throne room as everyone waited patiently for Zidane and Rainbow to return. “It's not the first time this has happened,” Sunset said as she folded her arms. “But Rainbow has never done anything like this before,” Twilight said As on cue, the door to the throne room swung open with both Zidane and Rainbow walking in. “Sorry about being late, we had a-” Zidane glanced at Rainbow who was looking away. “We lost track of time.” Celestia cleared her throat wanting to get straight to the point. “Kuja and Kefka have been spotted. Kefka was seen at Lionpaw and Kuja near Griffin stone.” She said. “You will have to split into groups, Twilight and her fri-” “I would like to go after Kuja, that is if you don’t mind princess,” Zidane said cutting Luna off. Both princesses looked at each other. “Very well then, Twilight. You and your friends will head to Lionpaw.” Luna said. As the group planned their excursion, to no one's knowledge, a wisp of shadows watched them from a window.