FINAL FANTASY: POLTERGEIST

a short novel by Kurt Stoyle

Just in case you're still interested, I'll quickly bore you by telling you a tiny bit about myself. My name is Kurt Stoyle, and I was born in 1981 (24 February). I was born in the Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital - but in spite of this fact, I'm actually a guy. I'm from Australia - but don't hold that against me! - and, more specifically, I live in the city of Ipswich (a dead hole; you don't want to go there, believe me). I'm a starving law student at the University of Queensland, and I obviously don't have much of a life if I'm spending my spare time typing up novels and posting them on the Internet. See, that wasn't too painful, was it?

This story is set in the universe of Final Fantasy IV - Final Fantasy II in the West - and indeed takes place seventeen years after the conclusion of the original game. Final Fantasy IV is a great game, even better than its much celebrated successors if you want my opinion, and I would encourage anyone out there who hasn't played the game to do so immediately. If you've come to this page without having played the game - if, for example, you've been drawn here by the sheer power of my writing ;) - and still want to read the story, that should still be possible without too much confusion. I've tried to make it as clear as possible for first-timers. A word of warning: a lot of authors out there are very reluctant to 'alter the magic of the original game' (or some equally disturbing rhetoric), and are loth to kill off old characters, permanently reverse past achievements, have characters regress personality-wise, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Not me. Within the following pages, you may well find your favourite character cut down, his or her greatest victories turn to dust, or a hero you admired become a vile rogue. If you're happy with the game's ending, and think it would make you cry to see it marred, you should probably leave; if not, I think you'll like the story.

One more thing that I should probably make clear: this novel is written in English (and by 'English' I mean English English). It's the only language I speak, and the only language I write in; it would be rather unfair to make me learn another tongue just to post a piece of fan fiction, don't you think? So all of you Germans, Italians, Spanish, Russians, Japanese - and Americans! - will have to translate into your only language on the hoof of the moment. Good luck!

You're still here, right? I haven't managed to offend you yet? ;) Before you start reading, I have a request to make. I've gone to the trouble of writing you a novel; it would be greatly appreciated if you could tell me what you think of it. A short note is all that I need, though of course the more you tell me, the happier I'll be. I'm interested in hearing any improvements you have to offer: anything from the smallest typo to plans for a full-fledged rewrite. It all helps. Also, please tell me if you'd object to having your comments posted in a small 'reviews' page - or if you consent to that, but would like to retain anonymity. That doesn't apply only to those who tell me nice things about my story, but those of you who have nasty things to say about it, as well; I think it's fair that potential readers get to hear both sides of the story.

Well, I've run out of things to say, so I'll let the novel do the talking from this point onwards. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Final Fantasy: Poltergeist.

Part One: The Red Star is Shining Brightly

Chapter 01: A Messenger at Midnight
Chapter 02: ???