Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

{|align="right" Final Fantasy IV the After: Tsuki no Kikan, roughly translated as Return of the Moon, is the sequel to Final Fantasy IV, released in Japan on February 18, 2008. The game was released for the NTT Docomo FOMA 903i series of phones.

The story is set 17 years after Final Fantasy IV, and focuses on Cecil's son Ceodore and the return of the second moon.

Prologue: Return of the Moon
Released on the 18th of February 2008.

Seventeen years have passed since the events of Final Fantasy IV, and the world has returned to a state of peace. Ceodore, the son of Cecil and Rosa, is an apprentice to the Red Wings, struggling with the expectations and obligations of being born with sacred blood. While returning from an expedition to obtain Ceodore's Proof of Knighthood, the Red Wings airship fleet, captained by the gruff Biggs and his second-in-command, Wedge, is attacked by a mysterious swarm of monsters. Noticing that flames are rising from the direction of Baron, the fleet attempts to return at full speed. At the same time, the Castle of Baron is besieged by monsters from an unknown source. As Cecil and Rosa fight the horde to defend their kingdom, they determine that the monsters are attacking from above, and look skyward, only to witness the return of the second moon.

Chapter 1: Ceodore
Released on the 18th of February 2008.

Questioning what the second moon's return could mean, Cecil continues to battle alongside Rosa, and is soon joined by Cid. The group battles their way to the castle's ramparts, when Cecil, sure that Baron will fall, orders Cid to take Rosa and retreat. As Cid and Rosa reluctantly agree, Cecil witnesses the Eidolon Bahamut descend from the second moon, a Mysterious Maiden resembling Rydia mounted atop its back. Cecil questions her identity, only to be attacked and defeated by Bahamut. Meanwhile, the Red Wings fleet is damaged, Edge and the dwarves witness a strange occurrence involving the tower of Babel, and the Mysterious Maiden enters the Eidolons' realm of Feymarch to claim the powers of Leviathan and Ashura.

The Red Wing fleet crash lands and Ceodore, the sole survivor, resolves to carry out Captain Biggs' final order: to return to Baron. Accosted by monsters, he is rescued by a Mysterious Man garbed in robes, and the two set out for Mysidia, where Porom helps them reach Baron by way of the Devil's Road. Arriving in the village, they find that the kingdom is safe, though the soldiers are acting strangely and refuse to let Ceodore into the castle. Infiltrating the castle through the waterway, Ceodore finds Cid's airship missing and comes to the conclusion that the inhabitants of the castle have been supplanted by monster imposters, while the Mysterious Man briefly encounters "Cecil". The two leave the castle and travel through Mist Cave, chased by the imposter soldiers on orders from the king. As the two then prepare to traverse the mountains east of Mist Village in hopes of losing their pursuers, the Mysterious Man reveals that he is searching for a former Dragoon of Baron, vowing to defeat him even at the cost of his own life.

Chapter 2: Rydia
Released on the 17th of March 2008.

The chapter opens with a flashback showing Gilbart assisting in the rebuilding of Mist, with mentions of Cecil of Baron and Yang of Fabul also rendering aid, and implications that Edge has turned to selling Eblan's royal treasures to help fund the reconstruction, followed by a flashback of Rydia attending the birth of Ceodore. We are then shown the events just before the Mysterious Maiden's arrival in the Feymarch; Rydia was visiting the Eidolons, but was confronted by Ashura who had expressely forbidden Rydia from returning, stating that the girl belonged with her own kind. Following the attack by the Mysterious Maiden, Rydia finds that the Eidolons have all been turned to stone. What's more, she soon discovers that she is unable to call upon them for aid and is cornered by monsters while attempting to return to the Underworld, only to be rescued by Luca, daughter of the Dwarven king Giott and apprentice to Cid.

They return to the Dwarven Castle aboard the airship Falcon, and witness the Red Wings airship fleet arriving before them. Inside the castle, they find that the Mysterious Maiden has already claimed three of the Dark Crystals, with only the one located in the Sealed Cavern remaining. With the permission of Giott, Rydia and Luca set out for the Sealed Cavern in hopes of obtaining the last remaining Dark Crystal before the Mysterious Maiden. They they manage to recover it, they are ultimately defeated by the Maiden, who taunts Rydia, destroys Calco and Brena, and takes the Dark Crystal. Rydia and Luca are forced to flee the Underworld aboard the Falcon and retreat to Agart for repairs, though they are attacked by the Eidolon Titan shortly after arriving. Despite putting up a desperate fight, they are unable to defeat Titan, who opens a rift to open in the ground. When all hope seems lost, they are suddenly rescued when a man clothed in dark armor and a black mantle appears, defeating the phantom creature easily. The Black-Clothed Man boards the Falcon and urges the pair to travel to the Tower of Babel before history repeats itself.

Chapter 3: Yang
Released on the 9th of April 2008.

Yang's daughter, Ursula, is training alone atop Mount Hobbs when she witnesses the Red Wings traveling towards Fabul. After being attacked by a Mother Bomb and rescued by her father, the pair returns to Fabul where they find that the Red Wings are attempting to steal the Crystal. More shocking still is the fact that they are being lead by none other than Kain, who claims to be acting of his own free will. Following a battle with Yang and his daughter, Kain retrieves the Crystal and departs.

Chapter 4: Palom
Released on the 1st of May 2008.

Palom, vowing to follow in the footsteps of the Great Sage, Tellah, had set out for Troia, a quiet city surrounded by forest and bordering a lake. There he trains the young priestess Leonora in the arts of Black Magic. When the Mysterious Maiden attacks the city to obtain its crystal, Palom and Leonora capture a Black Chocobo and travel to the Lodestone Cavern hoping to obtain it first. They ultimately do battle with the Dark Elf, only to have it defeated by the Eidolon Shiva. Confronted by the Mysterious Maiden, Palom takes the Crystal and tells Leonora to flee while he petrifies himself, effectively preventing her from taking the Crystal. However, when the Maiden threatens to shatter Palom's body to obtain it, Leonora attempts to fight her off. Palom recovers and bands together with her, though they are ultimately defeated by Shiva. The Mysterious Maiden steals the Crystal and vanishes, leaving them there. Meanwhile, on Mt. Ordeal, Porom encounters Kain.

Chapter 5: Edge
Released on the 28th of May 2008

The members of The Eblan Four - a group of ninja under Edge's direct command, are revealed to have witnessed and survived the attacks lead by Kain and the Mysterious Maiden: Gekkou was intrenched with Yang's monks, Zangetsu was with the dwarves, Izayoi was disguised as a Troian priestess, and Tsukinowa was amongst the mages of Mysidia. Meanwhile, Edge sets out to infiltrate the Tower of Babil alone. Inside, the Eblan Four appear one by one to assisst him in battle, forming a strong group and traveling to the peak of the Tower where they find the Mysterious Maiden. Though unable to defeat her, Edge refuses to submit to defeat and the team dives out of the Tower, ostensibly to their deaths. However, they all land safely aboard the deck of the Falcon, which was passing below. Edge reunites with Rydia and discusses the events, then notices the Black-Clothed Man and recognizes him.

Chapter 6: Porom
Released on the 26th of June 2008

The chapter begins with a pair of flashbacks, the first to shortly after the events of the original game: it is time for Palom and Porom's magic lessons with the Elder, however Palom has cut class and is trying to impress a group of girls, including a young Leonora. When he is found and punished, he runs away and is again found by the Elder. After a discussion, Palom reveals his desire to follow in Tellah's footsteps, and the Elder eventually agrees to let him follow his dream. Palom and Porom travel to Troia where Palom visits the Sage's grave and the pair ventures deep into the Underground Waterway, where Porom witnesses just how strong Palom has become. The second flashback, years later, begins with Porom having reached adulthood, on a trip with Palom to visit Rydia, carried by Cid and his airship because the Devil's Road is closed. When Palom asks Rydia to take him into the Land of Eidolons so he can learn about summoning magic, they visit the dwarves and Luca tags along, however Rydia is forced to turn back when she is forbidden entry to the Land of Eidolons.

Returning to the present, Porom is praying and senses that her brother has arrived safely in Troia. She discusses her desires to become independent when the Elder asks why she didn't accompany him, however they are interrupted when he senses a disruption of some sort. Outside, they find the mages of Mysidia gathering near the Sea of Mysidia, watching as the Lunar Whale rises up out of a whirlpool, slowly floating towards the second moon. Needing the skills of a Dragoon, Porom sets out for Mt. Ordeal with a Black and White Mage in order to track down Kain. Atop Mt. Ordeal, they find the tomb of Cecil's father, KluYa, and hear him speak of his sons. Soon thereafter, they locate Kain and, after explaining the situation and having a brief disagreement, set out to Mysidia together. When they reach Mysidia, the find it being attacked by the Mysterious Maiden. Kain, wishing to travel to Baron, leaves the Elder and Porom to defend the town. The two battle the Maiden and are defeated, with the Elder severely injured. However, in a twist, Kain reappears with the Crystal, offering it to the Maiden in exchange for his service and a chance to see Cecil. The Maiden agrees and vanishes, then Kain leaps away, ignoring Porom's plight.

Chapter 7: Gilbart
Released on the 22nd of July 2008

Gameplay
The gameplay, while retaining the same RPG aspects, has two new features: Physical and magic attacks of both players and enemies are affected by the phases of the moon in the real world. For example, when there is a full moon, weapon attack power decreases, while magic attacks increase. Certain abilities that cost MP can be used freely when certain characters are in the party. For example, Cecil can execute Holy Blade when Rosa is in the party.
 * Moon Phase
 * Band System

Characters

 * New
 * Ceodore Harvey - A young man who is the son of Cecil and Rosa and was named after his uncle Theodor (Golbez), Ceodore is the protagonist of the game and the prince of the kingdom of Baron; struggling with the obligations of being the heir to a sacred bloodline. Shortly after enlisting with the Red Wings, Baron's airship fleet, and obtaining the title of "Knight", he witnesses the reappearance of the Lunarian moon on his first expedition. When the fleet comes under attack from the Mysterious Maiden, he's left as the sole survivor of the Red Wings, and later joins his father in defending the castle while Baron is under siege.
 * Biggs and Wedge - Two members of the Red Wings who accompany Prince Ceodore on his first mission with the fleet. It is revealed that they were present when Cecil first attacked Mysidia, and were the soldiers who questioned his actions. They perish while protecting Ceodore from an assault lead by the Mysterious Maiden, in which all of the other members of the fleet are killed.
 * Mysterious Man (Kain Highwind) - A wandering swordsman covered in robes who claims to have cast aside his name long ago. Though little is known of him, or his goals, he comes to the aid of Ceodore after the destruction of the Red Wings and travels with him to Baron, proclaiming that he is searching for Kain Highwind. He later unites with Rosa, Cid, and Gilbart while tracking Kain with Ceodore, and then confronts him alone inside Baron Castle. In the resulting battle, it is revealed that the Mysterious Man is the true Kain, having been defeated by his dark side while training on Mt. Ordeal. He undergoes an awakening and reclaims his Dragoon Lance and the Jump ability, then defeats and absorbs his dark side, becoming a Holy Dragoon.
 * Mysterious Maiden - A mysterious woman with blue hair and clothing who possesses powerful magic and the ability to summon Eidolons. She decimates the Red Wings, leaving Ceodore as the only survivor, and later enters the Feymarch where she turns Leviathan and Ashura to stone, stating that she has come for their powers, before leading an assault against the Kingdom of Baron. In the Jump Festa demo, she refuses to tell Cecil her name, stating that members of an inferior species don't deserve to know it.
 * Black Clothed Man - The Black-Clothed Man is a gray-haired man dressed in a black mantle who defends Rydia and Luca from Titan, which had attacked them upon being summoned. After easily defeating Titan, he urges Rydia and Luca to travel with him to the Tower of Babel, commenting that the events of the past are being repeated, though Rydia does not recognize him.
 * Ursula - Ursula is Yang's only daughter and the first princess of the Kingdom of Fabul. She was brought up watching her father's form and training, and has yearned for such strength since she was a young girl. However, she is irritated by her father, who refuses to give her lessons. The heart of her strength comes from her mother, the queen.
 * Leonora - Leonora is an apprentice priestess determined to become a Priestess of Troia. She is a humble and quiet young lady. She is learning magic from Palom through consistent training in the Tower of Knowledge.
 * Gekkou - Gekkou is the stalwart leader of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Gekkou of Fire". He is a warm-hearted, honorable man of few words. His name literally means "moonlight".
 * Zangetsu - Zangetsu is one of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Zangetsu of Thunder". An elderly man with aspirations of becoming a shinobi, despite being a late bloomer, and admires Edge, who looks young enough to be his son, as his master. His name literally means "morning moon".
 * Izayoi - Izayoi is one of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Izayoi of Water". A kunoichi who always views battle in a calm and collected manner. At times, she is known to make use of her other fascinating assets... Her name literally means "sixteen-day-old moon".
 * Tsukinowa - Tsukinowa is one of the Eblan Four, and is known as "Tsukinowa of Wind". A ninja boy whose skill would put an adult to shame. He's as quick-witted and agile as the wind, just as his alias implies. His name literally means "moon halo".
 * Hal - Hal is the Secretary to the King of Damcyan. Though determined to become a scholar, she was enchanted by Gilbart's singing voice and became his secretary.
 * Kain? - Kain? is the dark side of Kain Highwind, released from his body while training atop Mt. Ordeal. He poses as the real Kain, betraying Porom and joining with the Mysterious Maiden to help capture Crystals in exchange for an opportunity to kill his rival, Cecil, and claim Rosa as his own. He is tracked down and eventually defeated by the Mysterious Man, who reveals himself to be the true Kain, reintegrating his dark side in order to become a Holy Dragoon.
 * Returning
 * Cecil Harvey - A Paladin who has inherited the blood of the Lunarians from his father Kluya. He governs the large Kingdom of Baron and the surrounding region as king, and is greatly loved by both his soldiers and his people.
 * Rosa Farrell Harvey - The Queen of the Kingdom of Baron and a White Mage. She is a beloved queen and supports Cecil from the shadows. She's worried about Ceodore, who is going through an emotional age.
 * Kain Highwind - A former commander of Baron's Dragoons, he secluded himself at Mt. Ordeals in order to overcome his mental weaknesses that Golbez took advantage of. Since then, there has been no word of his whereabouts since until Porom came to Mt. Ordeals to recieve his aid. However, Kain betrays her and joins up with the Mysterious Maiden in gathering the Crystals.
 * Rydia - A Summoner from the village of Mist, able to conjure Eidolons to aid her. Her second home is the Eidolon's realm Feymarch, though Queen Asura decided that she should live with her fellow humans, and she now endeavors to rebuild Mist with the cooperation of Cecil and others.
 * Yang Fang Leiden - Taking his place as the King of Fabul, he upholds the teachings of the royal dynasty and leads the people of Fabul. His training as a monk remains unchanged, and he hasn't neglected his personal discipline. His only desire is to be able to gently raise his only daughter, Ursula. As usual, his wife, the Queen, has no qualms about whacking him over the head with a frying pan.
 * Cid Pollendina - The Airship Engineer for Baron. Though his beard has become white, he refuses to retire and continues to show his extraordinary skills on the job. He understands Cecil's expectations, and is something of a substitute grandfather for Ceodore.
 * Edge - The inheritor of his parents' dying wish, to revive the ruins of Eblan castle. His people place great confidence in him, and he rules as the kind-hearted king of Eblan with the support of the Eblan Four. He's also making efforts to aid in the reconstruction of Mist.
 * Palom - Greatly admiring the great sage Tellah, who passed away, he aspires to become a Great Sage as well. Now grown, he harbors resentment towards the elders of Mysidia and his elder twin sister, Porom, who still preach to him as if he were a child. He wishes to leave the rigid Mysidia in order to travel all over in the pursuit of knowledge as a sage. At Troia, takes on a apprentice in Leonora as they tried to defeat the Mysterious Maiden in vain.
 * Porom - Having reached adulthood, she now supports the aging elders and protects the magical laws of Mysidia. She has also obtained the trust of the Mysidian Black Mages, though Palom's recent rebellion has her at a loss and starts to question her relation to him. When the Lunar Whale resurfaces, Porom goes to Mt. Ordeals to retrieve Kain, only to be betrayed by him when Mysida is under attack
 * Edward Chris von Muir - He is the beloved king of Damcyan. It is thanks to his singing voice that the struggles he faced with Cecil and the others became known the world over. With the cooperation of Baron, he maintains the balance of the worldwide economy. In the moonlit night, he reminisces about his departed love Anna and his late father while playing the lute.
 * Luca - The only daughter of the Dwarven King Giott. She was impressed by Cid, and now studies engineering as his apprentice, mastering the skills of Airship steering and maintenance. She yearns for the surface world, and frequently travels back there to visit. In battle, Luca uses her dolls Calco and Brena to fight in her stead.