AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys. I've been wanting to do this for some time now. Since Final Fantasy 9 is my favorite final fantasy. I finally thought of something for it. R&R please.
Revive and Return
Chapter 1: The Start of a War
Garnet walked out through the double doors that led tothe seat where she viewed Tantalus' yearly performances. She sat down in her chair, the queens chair, and sighed. She closed her eyes for a good few minutes thinking of the one and only. She got up, put her elbows on the balcony wall, set her head on her hands and stared into the distance.
The doors opened but she didn't look behind her. She heard the clank of armor. She then knew who it was.
"Adelbert Steiner, ready for my report your highness." Steiner saluted her and stood motionless.
"Let me guess." Garnet turned around and slumped then raising up. "Everything's clear, soldiers are doing their job, everything is in tip-top shape." Garnet looked at Steiner bluntly. Her hair having grown back slightly, just barely at her shoulders.
"Yes. Queen Garnet, I know Zidane has not returned yet but just give him a while. Its only been less than two months. We did leave him at the Iifa Tree. He'll probably show up any time soon. Trust me." Steiner smiled.
Garnet felt relieved hearing that. "You're right. Thank you Steiner." Garnet walked through the doors and walked up the spiral stairs. She saw Beatrix come out of the doors ahead of her on the third story floor. (Where she is.)
"Your Majesty." Beatrix bowed to her. Garnet just nodded.
"Oh, Beatrix?"
"Yes your Majesty?"
"Tell Steiner that he doesn't need to give me a report five times a day." Garnet laughed.
"Will do." Beatrix laughed too. She then headed down the spiral stairs.
Garnet went through the doors and headed for her room. She plopped onto her bed and turned over onto her back. Zidane? Garnet thought. Please hurry. I can't live without you. I can't control a kingdom without you. I need you here... Garnet slowly fell asleep.
"Garnet. Garnet wake up." Garnet heard a faint voice. She heard Zidane's voice. She quickly sat up for a split second she saw Zidane but there was no one there. She went to her mirror and started to brush her long hair. The way it was before.
"It's been a year Zidane. A year. You still haven't returned." She got a knock at the door. "Yes?"
"Your Majesty? The Tantalus group is here to see you as scheduled."
"I'll be right there." Garnet brushed her hair and put on her orange and white silk shirt outfit. She put the Falcon Claw around her neck and left her room.
She came into the room with the split stair cases and the portrait of her mother in the middle. She stood in the middle of the stair cases in front of Blank, Marcus, Cinna and Baku.
"I hate to say this Garnet." Baku stepped up for the news. "We didn't find a thing. We checked everywhere he could be. Nothing." Baku looked down in disappointment.
Blank kicked his foot. "We can't give up! Zidane helped me and all of us. We have to find him."
Garnet looked down. "Well, that will be all." She headed back up the stairs. Everyone watched her.
"Boss?" Cinna turned to Baku. "What are we going to do?"
"I don't know." Baku headed out of the castle.
Blank, Marcus and Cinna looked amongst each other then left.
Garnet rushed to her room and then jumped face first into the pillow. She burst into tears. The Tantalus group was her last hope. The only thing she could do was send the Alexandrian army to look for him but that would start another war with the villages they met with across the Gaia.
She stopped crying for a second and just realized what she could do. She jumped out of her bed and ran to find Beatrix, while wiping off her face.
"Beatrix!" Garnet ran up behind her. "I need you to gather all of the people I traveled with and bring them to my throne room immediately."
Beatrix scheduled a day for everyone to meet. She sent Artemicion with a letter to everyone who was not in the castle like Quina and Steiner.
"Sir Frately?" Freya walked up to him from behind. "I know this is such short notice but I am to meet with the Queen of Alexandria. You will wait for me right?"
"Of course. It cannot be much but a few days correct?" Frately smiled.
"Yes. I'll be back soon." Freya turned and ran away to the entrance of Burmecia.
"Mr. 201, Mikoto? I will be gone for awhile to meet with Garnet. I will be real quick. Bye." Vivi ran out of the Black Mage Village.
The two watched Vivi as he ran out.
"Kupo! You have a letter. Kupo." A moogle ran to Amarant in Treno.
Amarant took the letter and read it. He threw it down and started walking away.
"Your welcome Kupo!"
"Eiko?" Regent Cid found Eiko in the castle wandering around.
"Yes daddy?" Eiko looked up at him.
"Queen Garnet has requested a meeting with you."
"Oh goodie! She must have finally found him. Let's go daddy!" Eiko ran for the Hilda Garde 3.
"Wait up Eiko!" Cid ran after her.
Everyone arrived at different times of the day. Cid and Eiko arriving first. Later on toward the afternoon Freya arrived. Amarant arrived later that night and Vivi shortly afterwards. Quina was awaiting them with food and Steiner stood by Garnet.
"I am glad to see you have all arrived. I'm happy to see all of your faces once again. Unfortunately I have not found Zidane yet. But I wish to ask you all to find him. Please."
Everyone was quiet. Then Freya spoke up. "I will. Zidane and me go way back. I have no quarrels looking for him."
"Anything for a fellow summoner." Eiko jumped up.
"I help." Quina nodded. "Zidane teach me many things."
"Of course I will. Zidane is my best friend." Vivi put his hands together and looked down, then looking back up. He shook his hat side to side.
"That monkey still owes me a fight." Amarant was off to the side with his arms crossed.
Garnet looked at Steiner. "You too Steiner."
"Me? I have to stay and protect the castle. Protect you."
"I have enough protection. Ihave Beatrix and the Alexandrian army. Trust in your own kingdom."
"B-but I-"
"Please Steiner…….for me?" Garnet looked at him with the pouting face.
Steiner sighed deeply. "Anything for you your Highness."
Freya found a moogle in the castle. She handed him a letter. "Give this to Artemicion right away. Give it to a man named Frately in Burmecia."
"You got it, Kupo!" The moogle ran off.
"I told Frately to meet us at where you guys said was the excavation site. He's a good ally. Let's go."
"Why not take an air ship or a boat?" Steiner stopped Freya.
"Because, for all we know, Zidane can be in that place. Let's go."
"Oh…" Steiner shut up feeling like an idiot.
Everyone followed Freya out of the Castle. They all headed to the excavation site by foot. Garnet looked at Cid. "Don't worry, Eiko can take care of herself. She has everyone with her too."
"It's not that. I know she can take care of herself…I've seen it. It's…do you think they will find Zidane?"
"I hope." Garnet looked away and thought on it.
A man entered the town. He was wearing a black cloak all over. It was tight to his body and had a hood. He passed the group heading out of the town and watched them as they went by. He overheard them talking about their situation as they passed by.
The man chuckled. "Zidane? You do have loyal friends don't you? But their search for you is in vain." The man kept on walking headed for the castle.
He came up to the boat that takes him to the castle. "To the castle."
"I can't do that unless I see some reason for you to be here."
"I have information containing Zidane."
"You do! Then Garnet will want to speak to you immediately." The soldier started rowing the boat to the castle.
When he got off at the castle two soldiers looked at him. "State your business."
"Oh, I have info regarding Zidane."
"Huh? The Queen will see you right away." The guy kept going.
The man stopped. He turned around to face them.
The man continued to walk. He went up the double stair case and nodded to the guards. He looked up at the big painting of Queen Brahne. "Nasty."
He entered the room where the spiral stair case was. Ahead of him was the queens chair to watch plays, to his right were the stairs and to his left was the soldiers' storage room. Three soldiers walked out of the storage room.
"I was going to ask Elaine out."
"Man, who hasn't asked her out. She turns everyone down."
The soldiers stopped to see the man standing in the middle of the hall by the stairs. "Hey! Who are you? Are you allowed in here?"
The man slowly turned to face him. His face still covered by his hood. All of the soldiers pulled out their broad swords. The man slowly lifted his hand and held it open. It is ok. I am allowed here. I have info regarding the man, Zidane."
"Zidane! Up the stairs. We'll take you to the Queen."
"I really hope they find him." Garnet was getting dressed while talking to Beatrix.
"Don't worry. They will. You just worry about yourself. So, how far have you two gone?"
"Huh?" Garnet started blushing and panicking. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. Tell me. Come on."
Garnet blushed like crazy. "Well…I…we…have kissed before."
"When?" Beatrix looked at her interestingly.
"Um…when he…we were…on Terra. We…uh…were on an elevator…with a bunch of…eyeballs." Garnet went quiet as she remembered what happened. "He started trying to tell me something. He couldn't say it very well. Like he was embarrassed. Then as the elevator went up he said 'Thank You'. Then we just kissed until the elevator got us to our destination."
"Really now?" Beatrix smiled.
Garnet started blushing again. "Y-Yeah."
"You didn't do anything beyond that?"
"Like what?"
"You know…IT." Beatrix grinned.
"It? Of course not. Well…not yet." Garnet looked down.
"You were planning?"
"Kind of. But he's not here right now."
They both were quiet for awhile when they heard a soldier through the door talking. They heard a knock on the door.
"One second." Beatrix called out. "The Queen is dressing."
The soldier looked at the man. "So what is it that you know?"
"Zidane is being held captive."
"Really? Wow. Where?"
"That's for me and the Queen to discuss."
"Oh sorry." The soldier felt stupid and turned away.
The door opened and Garnet came out wearing her dress. Beatrix was behind her.
"Ma'am. This man says he has information concerning Zidane." The soldier stood to the side.
Garnet looked at him very quickly and got up into his face. "What information do you have about Zidane?"
"I have info about the whereabouts of your, true love." The man took his hood off revealing his face. He had red, wavy hair that was spiked up. He had pointy ears and had thin eyes with a grin on his face.
Garnets face lit up. "Come with me. We'll talk over dinner." Garnet headed to the dinner room. Beatrix followed behind the man.
When they got to the room, Garnet sat in her chair and the man sat in a chair next to her so they can talk.
"My head chef isn't here so pardon if the food isn't good enough." Garnet said. A maid poured red wine into both of their glasses.
"Oh, do not mind me. I am not hungry." He sipped his wine.
"Very well." Garnet looked at the maid and nodded. "So what do you know about to Zidane?"
"Well, I know this may be hard to believe but…he is being held captive."
"Why? Who? Where?" Garnet was surprised.
"Well, it's by the Burmecians."
"What? Impossible. They wouldn't do that." Garnet jumped out of her seat. Beatrix was outside of the room where the double stair case was. She glared in the thought of this man's words.
"I knew you would do this, but let me explain. Do you know the current king of Burmecia?"
Garnet sat down. "No."
"Did you know the past king?"
"No."
"Have you ever seen or met any of the Burmecian people at Burmecia or Cleyra?"
Garnet shook her head looking down. "No."
"Then there's your answer. You do not know them personally and your mother, who did not get away with what she did, destroyed their two kingdoms and murdered the king. The people of Burmecia are not happy with this kingdom."
"But…my mother died. She was killed by her own summon."
"That is not justice to Burmecia. They are repairing the city to its normal state. No help from this kingdom. They are pissed at your mother, this kingdom…….you."
Garnet looked down in. "I…can't believe this."
"They have Zidane. They must have found him on his way here. Out of spitefulness toward you. I just thought you should know. I was born in Alexandria and I am a traveler. I found this out when my travels led me to Burmecia."
Garnet sat there quiet for awhile. A maid stood next to her and set her food down in front of her. "What should I do?" Garnet looked up.
"Tell them they have something you want and that you want it back in return for something they want. If you run up and accuse them of holding Zidane then that could start a war."
Garnet slowly nodded. "Alright. I will do that. I thank you. Is there a way I can repay you?"
"Oh no. I'll be on my way. Places to go, places to see." He smiled.
"Well you are welcome here anytime. Thank you. Oh and your name?"
"Hi (pronounced: He)." Hi turned around before he walked out the door. He bowed and then left. Beatrix entered right after he left.
"What did he say, your majesty?"
Garnet looked up at Beatrix. "He knows the whereabouts of Zidane." Garnet got up and headed off. "I'll be in my room. Do not disturb me."
"Yes your majesty." Beatrix bowed. She looked around and then headed off. The maid grabbed the plate that wasn't even touched and took it into the kitchen.
Garnet was in her room writing a letter. She wrote vigorously fast. She folded it up in threes and put an Alexandrian seal to keep it folded. Garnet got up and headed out the room.
"Beatrix." Garnet found Beatrix patrolling the castle.
"Yes your majesty?"
"I want you to send this to Burmecia. To the current representative of Burmecia or leader. Whoever is in charge."
Beatrix nodded. She took the letter and headed off. Garnet sighed deeply. It's my turn to save you Zidane. She thought.
Beatrix walked out of the castle and stopped as she looked behind her. She carefully opened the letter and read it quickly. A meeting with the Burmecian leader/representative? Beatrix thought. But why? What does Burmecia have to do with the whereabouts of Zidane? Beatrix carefully re-sealed it and headed into town.
Hi headed for South Gate. He made his way to South Gate Station. He got a ticket and took the trolley to the Summit Station. He then sat down and waited.
Hi saw a man walk by. He was a big guy and he kept sneezing. Following him was a guy with a bandana, a guy with no pants and a soul path and a very ugly guy carrying a hammer. He over heard the name 'Zidane' as they walked by.
"That must be the Tantalus Group." He got up and went into the waiting area. He saw them all sitting at a table chatting.
"Excuse me." Hi went up to them.
Baku looked up at him. "Eh? What?"
"I over heard you as you went by and I think I heard the name Zidane."
"Yea. What of it."
"Well, I just got back from Alexandria and I spoke to the Queen. I know where Zidane is."
"You know where my boy is?" Baku stood up.
"Yes I do." Hi heard a trolley car come up. "I would tell you the details but I have to get on my trolley. Talk to the Queen. She'll tell you everything." Hi turned and walked out the door to jump on his trolley down to the other side of South Gate Station and then to Gizamaluke's Grotto.
The Burmecians continued to work on rebuilding their kingdom the way it was and it was coming out nicely. They had decent enough homes for the people to be able to live in as they restored Burmecia.
Hi entered Burmecia with his hood on to shield him from the rain. "Damn I hate rain." He went up to some Burmecian Soldiers. "I need to speak to the leader of the Burmecian Kingdom."
"Who are you and why should we care?" The Burmecian soldier laughed and nudged the other one.
"I'm here to discuss the facts that Burmecia will be attacked again unless you I can speak with whoever the leader is."
The two men looked at each other and looked at him. "Who is attacking us?"
"That's not your business now is it?" Hi grinned.
"Fine. I'll take you to the king." The one soldier took him to the kings palace.
"Sir." The soldier saluted the king. "This man wishes to give you urgent news." The soldier backed away and left.
The chair turned around revealing the king. A mere child. "What can I help you with?"
"The king is a kid?"
"Hey! I'm not a kid. My dad was the king before and since I don't want some loser running my kingdom I'm going to be in charge. The names Puck. King Puck."
"I see." Hi smiled. This will be easy. He thought. "Well you see. Alexandria kingdom is not necessarily too happy with you. I'm not sure why but I heard rumors that the Queen is accusing your kingdom of keeping Zidane captive."
"Who?"
"Zidane."
"Who?"
"Zida-"
"Where?"
Hi sighed loudly. "Garnet is accusing you of kidnapping her lover, Zidane!"
"I don't even know who this 'Zidane' is. Let alone kidnap him."
"Well she plans on starting problems. I'm just warning you."
Puck walked over to Hi and stared him down hard. "Why would you go out of your way to warn me. Your not from here. You don't seem to have any connection with Burmecia and you look foreign to this Continent. I've traveled the world. I know a lot more then anyone thinks."
Hi laughed. "Don't get so defensive. I'm friends with a woman I met on my travels. She's a Dragon Knight from here."
"Your friends with Freya?"
"Kind of sort of. We met and had some battles along side each other. She is very passionate for her lover."
"Sounds like her. Always searching for her lover. She found him though. Actually I did first but they are together now." Puck froze for a second. "Wait a minute. Freya and the whole gang are searching for some guy named Zidane. Sir Frately told me before he left to join them. Why would she accuse me after sending them to find him."
"Her mother went corrupted after she lost her love. Garnet lost hers. Like mother like daughter."
"I see. Thanks. I will talk her out of her non-sense." Puck went back to his chair to think.
"Oh yes, Puck?" Hi stopped at the door.
"Yes?" Puck looked up.
"Do be careful. She does have access to Black Mages if she needs it. Be sure to be on your toes."
"Definitely."
"We don't want a repeat of the war awhile back now do we." Hi whispered to himself as he walked away smiling.
Once Hi made his way out of Burmecia he headed for Gizamaluke's Grotto. He stopped where he was and bust out laughing. "Oh this is great! Garnet strongly believes that Burmecia haves Zidane. Burmecia thinks that Garnet is corrupted like her mother. A war shall brew indeed. Once they get going at it. I will get Lindblum involved. As of now I must see how things turn out. After their meeting I will give Garnet one more push. As of Burmecia…Black Mages will do just fine." Hi laughed insanely as he walked.
"After this war, I will be able to resurrect the other six. Then all seven of us will bring hell to Gaia and make Gaia and Terra become one. And then the people of Terra will be reborn and we can move onto the next planet." Hi continued laughing and disappeared into thin air.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks for reading. This turned out better than expected. Please review it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 9.