Celes and Terra were sitting in the Blackjack, both fuming. They had just found out that they were both in love with Locke, and they were both trying to convincing him that he should be with them instead of the other.
“It’s not fair,” Celes said. “I’ve been by his side for so long, and I know I can make him happy. I can’t believe he would choose you over me.”
“Well, I am the better choice,” Terra said. “I have esper blood, and I can give him a life full of adventure. You’re just a boring human.”
“How dare you!” Celes said, standing up. “I’ll show you who’s boring.”
Just then, Locke entered the room. He looked at the two women, and sighed. “I see you’ve both found out about my little dilemma,” he said.
“Dilemma?” Celes said. “There is no dilemma. I’m the better choice, and you know it.”
“Maybe,” Locke said. “But I’ve made my decision, and I’m going to go with Terra.”
“Why her?” Celes asked, hurt.
“Because she’s different,” Locke said. “She’s special, and I know that she can make me happy. I hope you can understand.
Celes nodded, tears in her eyes. She turned and walked away, leaving Locke and Terra alone. “I’m sorry,” Terra said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay,” Locke said. “I know you didn’t mean it. I’m just glad that we can be together.”
As the airship soared high over the Veldt, Celes walked the gangway, looking down at the grasslands far below. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Gau came up to her, unusually silent.
“No do it,” said Gau.
Celes turned to the feral child in surprise. “Do what?”
“No give up on Locke,” Gau said. “You love Locke. Gau think Locke love you too.”
Celes was taken aback. “But he chose Terra over me. How can I compete with that?”
“You only one know Locke heart,” Gau said. “You give up on him, you never know who you and he could be.”
Celes thought about Gau’s words, and she knew he was right. She wasn’t going to give up on Locke without a fight.
The next morning, the airship landed on the Triangle Island. The party were hunting the Intangir, a monster of incalculable power. Locke gathered the crew of the Blackjack together.
Locke said, “The beast that we’re hunting hides, and only magical power can make him vulnerable. What’s worse, he has the power to call down meteors if he takes much damage. This is a dangerous mission, and I am looking for volunteers.” Locke is careful not to look either Terra or Celes in the eye. “Who will come with me?”
Both Terra and Celes step forward, along with Gau and Sabin. Locke is relieved, and the four of them set out into the wilderness.
The Intangir is a fearsome foe, but they eventually defeat it. As the creature dies, it calls down a meteor, but Terra manages to shield everyone with her magic.
After the battle, Locke turns to Terra and Celes. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to hurt either of you. I just didn’t know how to choose.”
“It’s okay,” Celes says. “I understand.”
“I’m sorry too,” Terra says. “I was just so sure that you would choose me.”
“I did choose you,” Locke said. “I chose you because I love you.”
Terra and Celes stare at each other for a moment, realizing that they both still love Locke. But then they both smile, and Celes extends her hand to Terra. “Friends?” she says.
“Friends,” Terra replies, shaking her hand.
Later, Locke and Gau were hunting together in the Veldt. Gau, being unconcerned with the mores and traditions of the civilized world, had already forgotten about his part in the rivalry between Celes and Terra. Locke, though, had something he wanted to talk to Gau about, and while they rested between encounters, he called Gau over. “I didn’t appreciate you interfering with me and Terra.”
“What?” Gau said, confused. “Gau not do anything!”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Locke said. “You told Celes not to give up on me.”
“Oh, that,” Gau said. “You still love her, she still love you, you be together, easy”
“You were right,” Locke said. “I do still love her. But I’ve chosen Terra, and I have to stick with my decision.”
“Gau not understand,” Gau said. “You see reason, me think Celes forgive you.”
Locke smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Locke spotted some Imperial Guards running up, followed by a burning Grenade. “Watch out, Gau!”
Gau leapt aside as the Grenade exploded, and the Guards were destroyed.
“Thanks,” Gau said.
“Anytime,” Locke replied.
That night, when everyone else was sleeping, Gau and Celes found themselves conspiring together in the heart of the Blackjack’s engine room.
“What are you two up to?” Locke asked, coming down the stairs. “Nothing!” Gau and Celes said in unison.
“I don’t believe you,” Locke said. “What’s going on?”
“Um, well,” Gau said, “Celes tell Gau she love you so much, she do anything.”
“Gau!” Celes said, blushing.
“It’s okay,” Locke said, smiling. “I already know how you feel, Celes. I just wish I could return your feelings.”
“They call Gau crazy, I say you crazy, you tell Gau why Celes not best?” Gau asked.
“Because I’ve already given my heart to Terra,” Locke said. “And even though I still love Celes, I can’t betray Terra like that.”
“I understand,” Celes said. “I just wish things could have been different.”
“Me too,” Locke said.
Suddenly, the alarm sounded, and imperial soldiers began boarding the airship.
“It’s an attack!” Gau said.
“Get to your posts!” Locke ordered.
Celes and Gau ran to their stations, and the Blackjack was soon engaged in a fierce battle. But despite their best efforts, the Imperials eventually gained control of the ship. Locke was brought before the Imperial commander, who turned out to be none other than Celes.
“Celes!” Locke said, surprised. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sorry, Locke,” Celes said. “But I can’t let you stop me. I have to do this.”
“Do what?” Locke asked.
“I’m going to use the Blackjack to destroy Vector,” Celes said. “And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
