Author's Notes: Roughly three years ago, I started this little project, just getting into writing, and possessed of a myriad of ideas with no direction. Then I locked it away, and just now took another look as I replay FFIX. A few years have (I hope) matured my creative process, and I now know what I want this to be. I hope to work now on my style, and I'm hoping to see a move away from excessive detail and a step towards a more flowing, natural storytelling. Wish me luck, I'll need it. To any that remember this, I apologise for the abandonment- but I think it may turn out for the better, in the long run. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: All trademarked characters belong to their, eh, owners. People that are not me.
The Dream Within
Chapter 1
"...Are you okay, Vivi?"
Zidane glanced worriedly over to the small black mage. Vivi was gripping the railing with his red-brown gloves, staring downward through the blue sky, watching the ground rapidly depart beneath them.
"It feels like I'm going to be sucked into the sky." Vivi quietly replied, his voice somewhat distant. He didn't like heights, Zidane knew, and he figured that he should get Vivi inside the cargo ship before he stumbled, as was his habit.
Dagger opened the door, saying; "Perhaps we should go inside, Vivi." Vivi pulled his gaze away from the hypnotic scene below, stepping away from the railing. His fireglow eyes looked to Dagger's chocolate brown, nodding his assent. He politely waited for Dagger, but she motioned him inside, wanting to have a few words with Zidane. With a slight shrug, unnoticeable from his thick overcoat, Vivi stepped inside, watching his feet so he wouldn't stumble. Glancing up, Vivi was not prepared for the sight that greeted him.
Wha-? They- The dolls- Alive?
Vivi's eyes opened wide, staring at the now animated dolls, the same they had seen in the...place...below Dali. A strangled gasp escaped his throat. White canvas pants, violet overcoats, steeple hats, and shadowed faces, with only the oval fires of their eyes to dispel the blackness. Unheeding of Dagger's sudden call behind him, Vivi rushed forward, miraculously not tripping.
"H-hello?"
"..."
Please answer me..."
"..."
"Zidane!"
Dagger burst through the door, earning Zidane's undivided attention. The thief grinned, thinking she had come for something else, but sobered when he saw the look on her face. "What is it?" A million things that could have gone wrong zipping through his mind.
"It's Vivi!" Dagger moved aside so Zidane could enter. Tail worriedly flipping through the air behind him, Zidane surged forward into the shadowed interior. He stopped short, Dagger crowding behind him, nearly stepping on his tail. They both watched Vivi for a moment in silence, eyes following him as he traveled from black mage to black mage, desperately wanting answers he did not receive. Defeated, the small child walked back to the silent couple. Zidane was the first to break the tense quiet between them.
"Did you talk to any of them?"
Vivi shook his head without looking up. "N-no..." They could both clearly hear he was on the verge of tears. Dagger swiftly knelt down beside him, wanting to comfort, but unable to soothe. "I tried...again and again...but none of them...i-it's like...they don't even...see me at all..." Dagger murmured quiet nothings to the distressed child, her hands on his slumped shoulders. Vivi's hat covered her view of his eyes, but the hat trembled along with Vivi, showing an occasional glimpse of the sorrow it hid. Vivi's eyes had dampened, becoming the almost blue of a candle's flame. The sadness in those eyes could break the heart. Dagger looked away, silently bidding Zidane to leave. Nodding in understanding, Zidane crept towards the hatch. He had a ship to take over.
Dagger stayed by Vivi's side while his suppressed shudders subsided. These last few days had been hard on all of them, but she felt that it weighed especially hard on Vivi. He was still young and innocent...but he was being forced into situations that no child should have to deal with. And the worst part was, she had a feeling it wasn't over yet.
Steiner's familiar bellowing sounded from above, bringing a slight smile to Dagger's lips. So he had made it to the ship after all. Vivi looked up curiously, eyes following the direction of the noise. Steiner continued his tirade, muffled by the wooden planking and hum of the engine but still audible. "Scoundrel...Princess...thief..." Words floated down through the floorboards, accompanied by the clanking of Steiner's armor. Eventually, Steiner's shouting came to an end, and things were quiet once more. Dagger turned her attention back to Vivi, who seemed to have regained his composure.
"Are you alright, Vivi?"
"Y-yeah..." He seemed about to say more, when the ship gave a sudden lurch, throwing them aside. Now the black mages, silent golems only moments before, looked up. With the same unnerving quiet, they filed out to the hatch, disappearing into the sunlight above. With but a moment's hesitation, Dagger and Vivi hurried behind.
Unnoticed by all, the cargo ship's progress was marked by a silent hate.
The black mages marched to the cockpit, where Steiner could be heard bellowing at Zidane yet again. Steiner, mistaking the black mages for sentient crewmembers, began apologizing profusely. The mages said nothing, nor did they try to retake control of the ship from Zidane. They merely stood there, blank, unmoving. Vivi and Dagger had climbed out of the hatch, and were speaking about something near the bow of the deck. The conversation ended with Dagger leaving, headed toward the cockpit. Vivi paused to adjust his ever-present hat before turning to follow her.
Dagger never saw what happened, but the ozone crack, the smell of charred leather, and Vivi's outcry gave her all the understanding she needed. Whirling on her heel, she scrambled back to where she had left Vivi. The small black mage was on the ground, gazing up at his attacker with wide, frightened eyes. "Vivi! Are you okay?" Dagger rushed to his side, about to say more. The words died on her tongue when she saw what had assailed him.
The third Black Waltz stood imperiously upon the bow of the cargo ship. His ebony and sapphire were folded along his back, and the dark blue clothes he was draped in fluttered in the breeze. One violet-gloved hand hung down at his side, the fingers curved into cruel claws. The other hand gripped a carved and bladed staff. Eyes the color of burnt gold seared all they saw with the anger they possessed.
"So, No. 2 was defeated by a small child!" The monster scoffed. "You are no match against my power!" Black Waltz No. 3 threw back his head and laughed, before raising his staff to bear. "Princess, stay there while I eliminate this child!" There was a quiet shuffling of feet on wood, and their view of the Black Waltz was blocked as a score of black mages, the same that had been running the cargo ship moments before, padded in front of them, blocking the angry Black Waltz's line of sight.
"Are you protecting him?" No. 3 sputtered, not understanding why soulless dolls would do such a thing. As one, the mages turned to Vivi, glazed eyes meeting his for the first time. Ever silent, they turned back to the black Waltz. "...Nonsense. You are no different from mindless dolls! What can you do?" Vivi wanted to step forward, to do something, anything, but Dagger drug him to his feet, then hauled him to the cockpit. Dagger paid no attention to the Black Waltz yelling at the mages, intent on getting Vivi out of danger.
Once behind the relative safety of the glass, she looked back at the drama that was unfolding. The black mages had readied their Fire spells, the magic flames licking over their large gloved hands. It made no difference that there was one Waltz and four or five of them. Their red fire was no competition against his blue thunder. Explosions rocked the hull, a lightning storm striking the black mages. They were slammed to the floorboards, against the glass, and into the air. The thunder burst the cargo open, the contents spilling out. Black mages rained down, freefalling into the endless sky below. No. 3 laid ruin to the surroundings, possessing as much mercy as a guillotine. Vestiges of electric death curled their tongues over him; whispering promises of pain and suffering to all who dared defy him.
Vivi pressed his gloved hands against the glass, unmindful of the shards that whirled about in the storm. His eyes, glowing in distress, watched the slaughter. A ripple of magic escaped, unbidden in his distress, and pulsed through his fingertips to the clear pane. The glass shattered inside its frame, blocking the carnage from view. In shock, Vivi stepped away from the broken window, Dagger taking him into her arms lest he collapse.
"Wh-what cruelty!" Steiner's face was pale, disbelief in his voice. Dagger didn't believe it either. Distantly, she could feel Vivi trembling. She looked down at the small child, worried. He was standing still, just looking out the remaining window at the final Black Waltz. Everyone was. Steiner stood like a lump, not able to comprehend what had happened, while Zidane crouched nearby, tail still for once. Vivi finally stopped trembling, and was still but for the gasping breaths he tried to take. A moment of tense quiet prevailed, the only sound the humming of the engine.
An inhuman wail scattered all ordered thoughts, if any. Vivi gripped the brim of his hat, violently shaking his head back and forth, a terrible screech escaping his lips. Zidane jumped like a startled cat, tail bushing out in agitation. Steiner tried to whirl around, face the new threat, but got caught up in his armor. Dagger let go of him in surprise, backing away. Freed of all constraint, Vivi dashed outside the cockpit, directly for the sneering Black Waltz. "Master Vivi! Wait, I shall assist you!" Steiner clanked out after Vivi, trying to keep up with the now speedy black mage. Zidane turned hurriedly to Dagger. "We'll take care of the Black Waltz, you steer the ship!"
"Y-yes, alright..." Zidane continued. "Things are gonna get dangerous from here on out, and it's not too late to turn back. You can steer for South Gate, or turn back to Alexandria. Your choice!" Not waiting for a reply, Zidane ran from the cockpit, in the wake of Vivi and Steiner.
"W-why...? Why would you do such a thing? Weren't they your friends?" Vivi shouted up at the cold figure of No. 3. The Black Waltz slashed his arm through the air. "Fool! Do I look like some lowly black mage soldier?" Steiner clanked up, joining Vivi at the front line. "Even if they weren't your allies, what you did was reprehensible!" He shouted in his 'Righteous Anger' voice. The Black Waltz carelessly flung wide his arm, laughing with the same cruel demeanor that tainted all his actions. "Worry not about them: many more are being produced even now!" Zidane joined them now, drawing his twin blades in preparation of battle. No. 3 sneered, and chortled, "Ah, so the Princess's bodyguards have gathered. How very convenient." He raised his staff. "Prepare yourselves to die, o loyal fools. I will eliminate all who stand in the way!"
At the start of the battle, Zidane instinctively made a quick check of his teammates. Steiner seemed ok, in good health and properly equipped. He himself was fine, his daggers sharp and ready to slice. He glanced over at Vivi, half-expecting the little guy to Trance, he was so worked up. Zidane faltered, nearly dropped his daggers. Vivi hadn't Tranced, but something was going on. Flickering flames of dark magical energy creeped over him, seeping into Vivi's coat, his hat, his boots. Zidane could feel raw emotion coming off of Vivi in nearly palpable waves, hurt and anger and a thousand other things, the kind of sick confusion that makes you sick to your stomach.
The tendrils of energy were moving faster now, changing Vivi's appearance as well as his power. His hat, worn and battered, regained the proud steeple shape it had once possessed. His pants, that ridiculous green and white stripe pattern, now fluttered once in the breeze before snapping still, no longer baggy but well-tailored, the stripes melting together into whorls of color.. His overcoat had banished the sky blue color it was known for, opting instead for a deep sapphire, reaching down to his knees. His boots had become shin-high thick leather, with delicate gold embroidery. 'Is this Vivi's Trance?' Zidane thought distractedly. As a parting tough, the swirls of magic coalesced into runes and arcane insignia, weaving themselves into the fabric of the little mage's clothes and being. Then the shadow light withdrew, seeping back into the core of the now altered black mage. Zidane felt himself pale before adrenaline forced blood back into his face. Vivi had Tranced, or whatever it was, and Zidane had a curiously sinking feeling the biggest change was not in the mage's clothes or powers, but in his head. Vivi had adopted, perhaps unconsciously, a new and more aggressive fighting stance. One that he no doubt intended to put to good use.
No. 3 had spread his wings, rising loftily into the air. Steiner charged forwards, swiping with his heavy two-sided sword. And missed. Black Waltz No. 3 laughed at such foolishness. He was well out of range for any such attacks, and he knew it. Still laughing, he prepared to cast a Thundara spell that would leave them crying. He would-
A searing bolt of pain jarred No. 3 from his morbid thoughts. He had never felt such pain as this, of lightning that harmed him, not others. Furious, he looked to the source.
And found the little black mage, probably a defect. It seemed vastly different now, however. Before, No. 3 had sensed little magic within the pathetic creature. Now, the winged being could smell black magic in the thing's veins, and in the last flickers of lightning on its wrists. No. 3 hissed in rage. "Impossible!" Unbelievably, the child had readied a second spell, and released it without hesitation. This time, it was not a bolt of lightning, but a blizzard in miniature, the spears of ice piercing through their target. The assault knocked No. 3 to the ground, where he leaned upon his staff, gasping.
"You...you scum!" No. 3 spat out the words, glaring at the black mage child. The sapphire colors and magical energies drained away, retreating from Vivi's body like oil from water. Black Waltz No. 3, enraged and wounded, opened his wings with an audible snap, shouting as he was lifted into the air. "I exist only to kill!" He quickly vanished from sight.
Steiner was the first to recover. "This is becoming bothersome! How many of these do we have to fight!" He was jumping up and down, rattling his armor in agitation. Zidane answered with more calm in his voice than he felt. "I think that was the last one." Steiner stopped jumping and scrutinized Zidane with no small measure of distrust. "How would you know?"
Vivi stood apart from them, not listening to the arguments. He was staring at a lone mage's hat, which had been impaled upon a splinter of wood. The energy and vibrancy he had displayed in battle had vanished, leaving him exhausted. He vaguely heard Steiner and Zidane depart for the cockpit, heard Steiner yelling about something. He didn't care. It was all too much...
"Dagger, stay on course no matter what!" Zidane gripped the railing next to the steering wheel as Steiner turned the power up. The Black Waltz had confiscated an airship, and was in hot pursuit. Zidane could hear the smaller craft's roar even over the rumble of the cargo ship. Worriedly, he looked around to make sure everything was safe. Blinking, his eyes swept the small room again. Vivi was missing. He thought that Vivi had followed him inside. Zidane looked to where he had last seen him. The small black mage was there, by the railing. He was looking at what seemed to be a steeple hat stuck to the side. Cursing, Zidane stumbled out and across the lurching deck.
Vivi heard the sudden roar of an engine and ducked, just as something huge passed over his head. The mage's hat was torn from the railing, fluttering like a bird with broken wings to the ground below. He could hear the Black Waltz shouting over the noise, repeating the same phrase over and over again. "I exist only to kill! I exist only to kill!" No. 3 looked back at Vivi, steadying the ship so he could have a clear shot at the cause of such pain. His eyes flared into bloody brilliance. The magic that coursed through his winged body answered his fevered call, summoning forth thunder and lightning for which to smite the insolent child. Blue death flickered at his fingertips.
Zidane tried to hurry across the swaying and jouncing deck, his tail out behind to help with balance. He saw the Black Waltz ready a spell, Thundara undoubtedly. Vivi stood meekly nearby, awaiting the coming punishment like a lamb to slaughter. Cursing again, Zidane redoubled his efforts to save the little guy.
Vivi closed his eyes for a short moment; the image of No. 3 and his coming lightning still burned into his eyelids. No. 3 would kill Vivi's friends if given the chance. Vivi could feel tears threatening to spill out of his fireglow eyes. His black mage eyes. Distantly, he thought he could hear Zidane swearing and the sound of encroaching footsteps. More importantly, though, he could feel the magic building in No. 3, feel it taking shape...
Vivi's eyes snapped open, resting on the menacing figure of the Black Waltz. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. He could see the lightning No. 3 had summoned, knew that it was intended for him. Vivi could feel his own magic, waiting. He seized it, his hands rising unbidden. A ring of fiery runes, born from a language long since forgotten, circled him, shaping the Firaga in his hands. He released it, sent the magic's pulse towards the Black Waltz. The fire reached the ship before the lightning could be cast. With a deafening explosion, the smaller airship ricocheted off course.
Vivi kept his hands in the air in front of him a moment longer. He had never cast such heavy magic before, and it had drained him utterly. His eyes closed, and he collapsed into darkness.
Zidane couldn't even react to what he saw. Vivi had cast some heavy-duty magic, and then collapsed. The Black Waltz had been blasted pretty hard, but he didn't think he was done yet. After what seemed an eternity, Zidane reached the downed black mage. He grabbed Vivi's collar, and dragged him back toward the safety of the pilot's area with ease. He never ceased to be amazed at how lightweight the little guy was. For all appearances, he seemed short but thick, much like the other black mages had been, except they had been taller. The heaviest thing about him was probably the coat he always wore, and even the heavy blue canvas wasn't much.
A sudden lurch in the ship broke him from his already scattered thoughts, and served to throw them both across the deck. Vivi almost went overboard, but Zidane still had a deathgrip on the mage's coat. They could both see Black Waltz No. 3, who was closer than Zidane had thought. The dark mage crackled with electricity, preparing to fry them both with a thunder spell. The sounds of growing flames were heard, and the lightning tendrils were ceased. No. 3 looked back, watching the flames he had inadvertently set. He turned back, a panicked and disgruntled expression in eyes the same color as the flames.
The explosion came just as the cargo ship sped past the rapidly closing gate. The heat and smoke blinded them. This was compounded by the fact that the gate closed on the exploding airship. Zidane tried to pull Vivi back in to the ship, and tugged on his coat.
The cold of the ice cavern, the flames of Black Waltz No. 2, and the battles with No. 3, all of this proved to be too much for the fragile straps of leather cording that bound the coat together. At Zidane's pull, the straps across Vivi's chest stretched, frayed, and finally snapped. Zidane felt a sudden release of a light weight, and watched, horrified, as Vivi slipped out of the coat's embrace. He looked up with wide, frightened eyes at Zidane, who made a desperate but futile grasp for the child.
Zidane kept his hand outstretched even as Vivi plummeted to the unforgiving earth below.