Duelist of Dawn: Hello, sweet readers! Happy Thanksgiving, The Duelist of Dawn is back on the Final Fantasy 9 story writing!
(Audience Cheers)
Machina: Hey, boss! Got the message you sent me!
Duelist of Dawn: Just in time, my good man! I'm about to setup the third story!
Machina: That's great! I know a lot of people were waiting for this!
Duelist of Dawn: Well, wait no longer! We are about to start the festivities! Introduce the Disclaimer, Machina!
Machina: You got it! The Duelist of Dawn doesn't own Final Fantasy 9, or any music used in the story. He owns his SI Ron and the OC Lovrina Carol.
Duelist of Dawn: And now the moment we've been waiting for, the beginning chapter of Melodies of Life Chronicles: Secrets! Roll it, baby!
Chapter 31:
New Queen Rising
(Alexandria Castle) (3rd POV)
After a week of being in Alexandria, the day begins with Dagger being escorted to the castle via a gondola. With her are Doctor Tot, Steiner and Beatrix.
"Princess, we have arrived at the castle." Dr. Tot announced.
"She won't be a princess for much longer, Doctor Tot." Beatrix corrected.
"Ha ha ha... Indeed." He replied. "I shall have to call you 'Queen Garnet' after the coronation. I must make preparations for the crowning of our new queen. General Beatrix, Master Steiner, will you help her?" Both nodded and saluted. Tot gets off the boat and helps his soon to be Queen off as well. "Princess, please watch your step."
"Doctor Tot..." Dagger spoke.
"Princess... I know how hard this must be." The doctor said. "But I will be by your side. Please take the throne with full confidence."
"As all of us will be with you, Princess." Beatrix added with an assuring smile. Dagger smiled back at them as she left the dock and entered the castle with Tot and Beatrix, leaving Steiner to tie up gondola.
"Three more days until the crowning of a new queen... What a day!" He said.
(Alexandria-Town)
Zidane was sitting inside the local bar, drinking away his sorrows. After returning to Alexandria, he hasn't had any time to talk to Dagger, or rather see her at all! Zidane was feeling as down as he's ever been and there was nothing her could do about it. All of sudden, the Tantalus gang, without Baku, walks into the pub and crowds around Zidane's table. With them is a light-blue haired woman with a white bonnet, brown blouse, blue skirt with stockings. She happened to be with Tantalus when they came to abduct Dagger, but was left behind in the commotion. Her name is Ruby.
"Zidane!" Ruby exclaimed as she hugged him from behind. She spoke in a strong South American accent. "We ain't seen each other in ages!" She then noticed Zidane never responded. Ruby took a look as his face; he was miserable. "Why the sour puss, partner?"
Marcus went over to look and saw the same thing Ruby did. "What happened?"
"Tch. I know..." Everyone turned to Blank. "Maybe that Dagger chick dumped him." He said bluntly.
Zidane just sighed.
"Bingo..." Cinna added.
Ruby looked at her tailed friend, angrily. "This ain't like you at all, Zidane!" She took off one of her white gloves and raised it over Zidane's head...
Cinna saw what see was about to do; she only did it when someone ticked her off. He had to do something quick or Zidane was about to get the business end of the pain. "H-Hey, Ruby! I heard you started a mini-theater while we were away."
Ruby stopped and looked at Cinna with a cheery look. "That's right, darlin'! My plays are a hit!"
"Cool! Let's go watch!" Blank decided.
"Yeah!" Marcus said as he got up off his chair.
"Alright, cowboys!" Ruby said, about to leave the pub. "Zidane... You ain't comin', are ya?" No response. "That's awright, darlin'. Come on over whenever you want. Let's go, boys!" Everyone but Zidane clears out of the bar, onto the street. "This way, everyone!"
(Ron's POV)
Vivi, Choco and I were walking through Alexandria, getting a better time viewing this town over. With only heading for the play last time, we figured it'd be best to do that. We've already gave Eiko and Lovrina the tour and Lani was suspicious with her disappearance. As for Amarant, well... he left without acknowledging any of us, how could Lani stand working with that guy? Aside from exploring the place, I had trained Choco and myself outside the kingdom; it went pretty smoothly and especially Choco got to use his mountain climbing ability. And then, the fun was cut by those ugly Bandersnatches! Of course, we killed them and it also served were Zorn and Thorn got them from.
"Well Vivi, anything you wanna do while we're out?" I asked him.
"I don't have anything in mind." He said. "It's been pretty boring without traveling much."
"Kweehh..." Choco added.
"Yeah, we've only visited so many places as much as a day in each one." I said. "And we've been here for only a week. I wonder were the girls are?"
Suddenly, as we passed by the pub, Vivi is almost knocked to the ground by Blank. I catch the black mage before he hits the ground as Blank turns around, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oops! Sorry... Huh!?" He apologizes and then gets a good look at the two of us. "Hey, Vivi, Ron!"
"Hello..." Vivi greeted.
"Nice to see ya, again." I added.
"I haven't seen you guys since you left Alexandria Castle. How are ya?" Blank asked.
"We're fine; pretty bored right now." I told him. "Mainly because we were on the run, if you know what I mean."
"I know the feeling!" He said and then saw Choco. "Is that... a red chocobo?"
"Huh?" I said. "Oh yeah, Choco used to be normal yellow."
"Kweh!" Choco nodded.
"How'd he get like that?" Blank asked.
"From some treasure chest that blows sleeping smoke at ya." I quipped.
"How about you?" Vivi asked Blank. "What have you been doing since we left the castle?"
"Me? Let's see..." Blank pondered. "Oh yeah, it's been crazy since you guys escaped! Rusty, that rat chick, Freya, and..." He stopped a bit, trying to remember another name. "...what's her face, that girl general of Alexandria..."
"Beatrix." Marcus says as he walks over to the four of us.
"Yeah, the three of them got totally worked!" Blank exclaimed, still not noticing his friend behind them. "Marcus and I had to carry 'em out on our backs!" He then jumped as he turned around. "M-Marcus!?"
Vivi, Choco and I laughed. 'Please don't tell me he was that slow.' I thought.
"We gotta get goin' before Ruby gets mad at us again." Marcus said.
"Oh yeah, she hates it when we're late..." Blank said and turned to us. "Sorry, guys. I'll see you later!"
"Bye!"
"Later!"
"Kweh!"
Vivi, me and Choco said our goodbye's as both Tantalus boys left.
"Let's see if there's anybody else around." The boys walked into the square, hoping to find something to do.
(At Alexandria Castle) (3rd POV)
At the front of the castle, Eiko and Lani were approaching the castle. Lovrina had left for some errands, so Lani volunteered to watch her even though, the little girl protested. But after hearing how Lani could get into the castle, Eiko practically dragged to the direction after finding out where it was.
"Oh my! What a gigantic house!" Eiko exclaimed seeing the castle. By the time she got back from the Iifa Tree, she was asleep so she never noticed it.
"Pretty impressive, huh?" Lani said. "I've also been to Lindblum's castle, where I met Ron during this competition."
"I gotta see the inside!" Eiko said, ignoring the axe wielder.
'Why'd I go along her again?' Lani asked herself.
"We cook good food!" The girls turned around to see three small cooks walking past them. In their hands were some samples of chicken, potatoes and fish.
"Hey!" Eiko took in the aroma of the food. "Something smells delicious!"
"You hungry?" One of the cooks asked. Eiko looked sheepishly at the ground, before nodding.
"You VERY hungry?" The second cook asked. Eiko nodded again, she was feeling it, too.
"You UNBEARABLY hungry?" The third cook asked.
"YEAH!" Eiko said, with her mouth watering in anticipation.
"Too bad!" Cooks yelled as they walked towards the castle laughing, and leaving a very angry Eiko growling. Lani calmed her down.
"Be right back..." She said as she caught up with the rude cooks. "Oh boys..." As soon as the cooks turned around, Lani grabbed the nearest one by the collar. "Listen you little twerps, I don't think you should play with my friend over there. What would the soon-to-be Queen say if you messed with her newly found family member?"
"What!?" The cooks shouted in fear. "Um, would you like some food miss?"
"Sure!" Eiko took a piece of fish and potatoes and Lani took a piece of chicken. "Thank you!"
"No problem!" The cooks ran into the castle, not wanting to make anymore unwanted mistakes.
"Thanks, Lani!" Eiko said.
"Stick with me, kid." Lani said as they walked into the castle. "I'll learn ya some tricks!" Although, what she said was true after hearing from the little summoner herself.
(Outside the mini-theater)
Blank and Marcus were sitting outside the Ruby's new mini-theater, they were talking about Zidane's behavior since he came back.
"Zidane's done himself in this time." Blank broke the ice first.
"Yeah..." Marcus agreed.
"But think about it... He's never been in a serious relationship before." Blank added. "He probably doesn't even know what to do with himself right now..."
"Come on, he's in love with a queen. Did he think it'd work out?" Marcus asked.
"I'm sure he thought about that a lot. That's why he's in turmoil."
Marcus sighed. "He looked so depressed..."
"Yeah... But this is something he needs to deal with head-on. This is gonna make him stronger. You'll see."
Suddenly, a voice shouted within the mini-theater.
"BLANK!!"
Blank slapped his forehead. "Ruby's mad at me again. How can I calm her down...?"
"You and Ruby really don't get along very well... do ya?" Marcus wondered, even though the guy sometimes made Ruby mad, Blank was the most likely one; especially when it came to being on time.
(Ron's POV)
Vivi, Choco and I went down the familiar alley way where we met Puck. We reminisced to Choco how me and Vivi met as he listened intently.
"Yo, guys!" We were interrupted by Blank leaning near a staircase with Marcus. "Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?" Vivi asked.
"I want you to see Ruby's play with us." Blank offered.
"Sure, I like plays." Vivi said.
"I'll pass; I'll need to keep Choco company." I told them.
"Cool!" Blank said in a little more happy tone. "Go down the staircase behind us. That's where Ruby's theater is."
"Bro..." Marcus muttered.
Vivi went down the staircase as I looked at Blank. "Okay, what's going on?"
"Blank's trying to delay the wrath Ruby's going to unleash against him." Marcus replied.
"Shh!!" Blank tried to cover it up.
"Ruby?" I asked.
"She's a part of Tantalus," Blank added. "Well, mainly the acting part, but not the thieving part."
"Oh." I said. "She your girlfriend or something?"
"NO!" Blank shouted before shutting his mouth. "I mean come on, she totally hates my guts!"
"Is she always on your case?" I asked.
"Yup." Blank replied.
"Tries to get you to agree with something she likes?"
"Uh-huh."
"And does she always yell at you more than anyone else in your group?"
"Oh yeah!"
"She likes you." I concluded, while Marcus and Choco snickered a bit.
"Aw, leave me alone, man!" Blank said as I walked out.
"Tell Vivi I'm at the castle..." I told Marcus.
(3rd POV)
Meanwhile, in the mini-theater, Vivi was about to get settled in before he heard the lady in front of him.
"Blank!!!" Ruby shouted, not knowing it was Vivi was behind her. "Don't ya know I HATE it when yer late!? How many times do I gotta tell ya!?"
"Whoa!" Vivi said, falling on his butt.
"Huh?" Ruby turned around to see the black mage. "Who are you? Strange, kinda..."
"Hey, Vivi!" Both of them saw Cinna coming from somewhere in theater. "Haven't seen ya in a while!"
"Is he a friend of yers, Cinna?" Ruby asked the short man.
Vivi got up and spoke. "Hello, Uncle Cinna!"
"Hey, hey! I'm not old enough to be your uncle!" Cinna shouted feeling embarrassed. "I'm younger than I look!"
"Hahaha... Yer a funny one!" Ruby said, amused by Vivi. "I like you! Wanna see my play, little fella?"
"U-Um, yeah." Vivi said, feeling awkward that she was changing moods.
"Oh, what a sweetie!" She squealed. "I like you even more! We'll get rollin' in a minute. Sit wherever you want."
Vivi walked over to an empty table as Blank and Marcus entered after awhile. Marcus looked over the front booth at Ruby, who was about to head backstage.
"I think your plan worked." He said to his 'bro.'
"Ain't nothing to it." Blanks responded in a cool manner.
But from across the room, with her back turned, Ruby shouted:
"Blank, we'll talk later!"
Blank groaned as Marcus smirked.
"Busted..."
(Alexandria Castle, Princess's room)
Right now, Dagger and Steiner were currently talking her room.
"Steiner?" Dagger asked.
"Yes, Princess!" Steiner responded.
"Um... I'd like to find Zidane and talk to him..."
"Princess, you have more important matters at hand!" Steiner interrupted. "You live in a different world now!"
Just then, Tot walks in with Beatrix.
"O-Oh. What's happening here?" Tot asked. "Princess, it is time for you to get changed." He turns to Beatrix. "General Beatrix, will you help her?"
"Yes, sir!" Beatrix saluted.
"Oh, there is something I must give you, Princess." Tot walks up to Dagger and hands her three stones, an Opal, a Topaz and an Amethyst. "Those stones contain your power, which Queen Brahne forcibly..." He stopped himself short. "Well, that is all in the past..." He then goes to take his leave, but stops short at the door. Master Steiner, do you intend to stay here and watch?"
Steiner's face became redder than when he's been angry. "N-No, I am not..." He stuttered and gave a clumsy salute to his princess. "E-Excuse me!" He runs out of the room as quickly as possible with Tot following. The girls have a little laugh at the Pluto Knight's expense before calming down.
"Beatrix..." Dagger asked her general. "I'd like to see Zidane... Please?"
Beatrix sighed. "Now may not be a good time."
Dagger turned away. "Even you agree with Steiner."
"Your Highness..."
"I know... It's okay." Dagger said as she got changed.
(With Eiko and Lani)
Down near the guardhouse hallway, Eiko skips along with Lani following her.
"Okay, now all of a sudden your chipper." Lani said, taking notice of Eiko's skip in her step. "What's up?"
"With Dagger out of the picture, now's my chance to win Zidane's heart!" Eiko exclaimed.
"Kid, don't you think you're way over your head on this?" Lani asked. "I mean he's teenager and you're still a little girl.
"Age won't have a factor for my little plan to work." Eiko declared. "First, I'll write him a love letter. I'm gonna make it the most romantic letter ever written!"
"Oy, how did I get stuck with you?" Lani groaned.
"Come on, haven't you ever wanted to show you felt to someone?" Eiko asked.
"Yeah, to someone around my own age." Lani argued.
While the girls continued to bicker, Tot was coming down from the princess's room, talking about the current events...
"Becoming a queen may place quite a burden on Princess Garnet..." He thought out loud. "But she must persevere. The people of Alexandria are watching." As soon as he reaches the bottom, he finds Lani and Eiko arguing. "Girls? What seems to be problem here?" Both of them turned to see the small man, addressing them.
Eiko ignored the question and looked back at him. "He looks pretty smart! Hey, you look like the bookish type!"
Tot chuckled at Eiko's deduction. "Ha ha ha... What gives you that impression?"
"You really want me to explain?" Eiko asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm very curious."
"Where should I start...?" Eiko pondered and then pointed out of her assumptions. "First, your beard! Second, your nerdy hat! Third, your thick eyeglasses! All signs of a nerdy philosopher!"
"Ha ha... You don't hold back, do you?" Tot said, amused by Eiko's words.
"Yeah, I have to put up with her." Lani added in.
"Hey, are you a writer?" Eiko asked Tot.
"Well, yes." He responded. "I did make my living as a writer for a while."
"Will you help me write a letter?"
"A letter?" Tot smiled. "Gladly, if you think I can be of assistance."
"Okay, then. Follow me." Eiko walked into the guardhouse room.
"I can't believe you're doing this!" Lani said following her.
Tot stayed back for awhile as he looked at Eiko. "That girl has a horn..." He pondered. "That horn... I had completely forgotten about it until now... I'd never been as surprised as I was that day."
(A/N: Little flashback here, but it only shows a boat drifting into the Alexandria's docks.)
"A ship drifted ashore after a storm... Inside the ship were a woman and a baby girl... The woman was dead, but the girl was still breathing... Imagine my surprise as I looked into the girl's face! Because the girl looked exactly like Princess Garnet, who had just passed away. With one exception... She had a horn! A human with a horn... Where did she come from? The king ordered the girl's horn removed. The girl cried out in pain... He and his wife, Queen Brahne, decided to raise he girl as Princess Garnet... But that little girl who spoke to me... Could she be related to Princess Garnet...?"
"Hey, will you hurry up!?" Eiko shouted, bringing Tot of his thoughts.
"Oh, excuse me." He apologized as he walked in the room.
(Back in Garnet's room)
"Princess, you look splendid." Beatrix said as she looked over her princess now dressed in her royal white gown.
"Thank you..." Dagger smiled. "By the way... There is something I must tell you, Beatrix."
"Yes, Princess?"
The soon to be queen closed her eyes. "I am not my mother's... I mean, Queen Brahne is not my real mother." She waited for Beatrix to say something hurtful, something that would cast her out, but instead Dagger opened her eyes to see Alexandria's general kneeling down to her.
"Princess Garnet... Doctor Tot has already informed Steiner and me." Beatrix said. "However... My allegiance to you remains the same, if not stronger."
Dagger was nearly broke down in tears when she heard that. "Beatrix... Thank you..."
(Back with Eiko, Lani, and Tot)
"It's finished!" Eiko exclaimed with a letter in her hand. "Zidane will fall in love with me the instant he reads this letter! Thanks, Mister!"
"Ha ha... It was my pleasure, my lady." Tot said.
"You're making a big mistake, ya know?" Lani asked.
"Whatever, you don't know the true love that's about to come blossoming out from this letter!" Eiko replied.
"Where did that come from?" Lani said, perplexed by Eiko's use of vocabulary.
"Oh, may I ask the names of both of you young ladies?" Tot asked.
Lani spoke first. "My name's Lani, a bounty hunter."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Eiko added. "My name is Eiko Carol! I'm from Madain Sari! I hope to see you again! Buh-Bye!" She then runs out with her letter.
"Get back here!" Lani shouted, running after the little summoner.
Tot was still wondering about what Eiko just said. "From Madain Sari...?" He gasped. "Madain Sari is the village of the summoners... But I thought it was only a legend. What could this mean...?"
"Oh, I can't wait to hand this letter to Zidane!" Eiko squealed. "Where did he go, anyway?"
Eiko starts running along a balcony side, but gets belly-bumped off the ledge by someone big..
"Aaaah!" She gets stuck on a jutting piece of architecture and dangles.
"AHHH!!! HELP!!!" Eiko screamed.
"Hey, are you okay?" She heard footsteps coming down the stairs and saw Baku looking up at her.
"C-C-Can't breathe...!!!" Eiko struggled out as she tried to adjust herself so she won't be choking.
"Sorry! I didn't see ya jump out." Baku apologized. "But yer too high up! I can't getcha down! Gwahahaha!"
"Stop laughing, you poop!" Eiko shouted, but in her anger, she dropped her letter. "Oh, shoot. My letter..." The letter flitters down to Baku. "Hey, if you can't get me down, deliver that letter to Zidane! Alright!?"
"To Zidane? Yeah, no problem." Baku said, picking up the letter and walking out of the castle with a... "Gwahahaha!"
"What am I supposed to do now!?" Eiko shouted.
"How'd you get like that?" Eiko looked up to see Lani staring down at her.
"Never mind that, get me down from here!" Eiko said, flailing around.
"Alright, just stop flailing." Lani said as she set to work.
Baku walks out to the castle gondola dock, on to find out...
"Hey, the boat ain't here!"
And on cue, Steiner and two of his Pluto Knights run by, with their daily patrol duty.
"Castle patrol, completed!" Steiner said, until he spotted a familiar face. "Huh? Why, if it isn't Baku, the leader of Tantalus!"
"Who just called my name?" Baku asked as he turned around, to see the Pluto Knights staring at him. "Oh, it's you."
"Should we capture him, Captain?" One of the knights, Laudo asked.
"No, he saved my life." Steiner replied. "You two may go. I will handle this."
"Yes, sir!" Both knights saluted and ran off inside the castle.
Baku noticed how calm the normally, hotheaded knight was. "Ain't such a knucklehead anymore, huh?"
"Silence!" Steiner shouted, back to his hotheadedness. "This is no place for thieves! You must leave, now."
"So that's how it is, huh?" Baku grumbled. "Do I gotta remind you that one of my boys saved your kingdom, by bringing yer princess back?" Baku then turned his back on the knight. "But I bet you ain't got no ears for listenin' to a lowlife like me."
"Are you talking about Zidane?" Steiner asked. "Yes, he did protect the princess and her kingdom... But that doesn't change the fact that you are all thieves! I cannot let your kind roam around the castle!"
Baku shook his head. "No appreciation whatsoever, eh? Well, I ain't got any reason to stay here, anyway. Hey, you know where Zidane might be?"
"He hasn't visited the castle since we returned." Steiner replied. "Maybe he can teach you a thing or two about proper manners!
"Okay, I get yer point!" Baku said, stomping his foot. Unaware that he dropped the letter Eiko gave him. "I've had enough of your self-righteousness!"
He finally gains a sign of relief when he see the boat coming with Ron and Choco on boat, and driven by an Alexandrian soldier.
(Ron's POV)
Choco and I finally got to the castle. It was no way near as big as Lindblum's castle, but it was big in its own right. A big, white castle with a giant sword on the top. Very amazing, especially since I know why its there.
"Gwahahaha! Perfect timing!" I also saw Baku standing at the dock, waiting on the boat.
"Hey, Baku!" I called out as soon as the boat reached land. I turned to the soldier. "Thanks for the ride."
"Yer that guy who left with Zidane, in Evil Forest." Baku said.
"Yup name's Ron!" I introduced. "And this is Choco."
"Kweh!" The red chocobo.
"A red chocobo!?" Baku exclaimed, and then slapped me hard on the shoulder. "Gwahahaha! Well, I'll be damned! Yer a lucky one, boy!"
"Yeah, thanks..." I said, rubbing my shoulder.
"By the way, you know where Zidane is?" Baku asked.
"Last, I heard from him, he's been going to that bar for the past 5 days now." I told him. I knew Zidane was depressed about never getting a chance with Dagger, with her becoming Queen in three days. But with all the stuff going on now, she's basically Queen now.
"Thanks a lot!" Baku said, slapping my shoulder again. He then walked on to the boat and told the soldier. "Take me into town!" The soldier does that has I see Steiner fuming over something.
"Hey, how's it going, Steiner?" I asked him. Steiner just clenches his fists and runs off, leaving me and Choco in the dust. "What's wrong with him?"
"Kweeh." Choco shrugged.
(Play Rose of May (Beatrix's theme))
Beatrix walked out of the castle, pondering on something, and not noticing me and Choco.
"Ah, so it was Steiner..." She thought out loud, with a little smile. "I thought I heard him yelling." She continued walking and sighs. "Alexandria is at peace again... Yet my heart is full of sorrow. Why...?"
"Why are you unhappy?" I asked. She jumped a bit before noticing me and Choco. "Hey Beatrix!"
"Oh, Ron..." She said. "Good to see you again."
"Likewise..." I replied. "At least we're not enemies anymore; you really don't let up on the battlefield, ya know?"
Beatrix smiled. "Well, I have to protect my kingdom, and then I was following orders. But I have you to thank for that."
"Me?"
"Remember what you said to me after our battle at Cleyra?"
(Flashback)
Black mages, our work here is done." Beatrix says. "Commence withdrawal immediately!"
A black mage comes behind her and creates a teleport sphere using its own body, before Beatrix goes in, she points her sword at me.
"If you survive, the next battle will be our last!" She declared.
"Yeah, and make sure you do it of your own free will instead of being blind to your queen!" I shout back.
Beatrix then jumps into the sphere as it flies away from Cleyra...
(End Flashback)
"Oh yeah..."
"I took your word to heart, especially when Garnet was in danger." She replied.
I smiled. "I know, I was there when you were pondering that."
She gasped. "You were on the Red Rose?" I nodded. "No wonder you got to Alexandria before us..."
"You had some Black mage stragglers after you left." I told her.
"Oh... Hmm?" She noticed a letter on the ground and picked it up. "Is it yours?"
I remembered; the letter that Eiko wrote, but I couldn't mess this one up... "I just got here and I'm noticing it right now."
"Then Steiner must've dropped this, before I came around." She said. "Let's see..."
'When the night sky wears the moon as its pendant, I shall await you at the dock.'
Beatrix gasped. "Wh-What is this letter!?" She said.
"Whoa, that's a deep letter if I heard one!" I said, playing off the fact of the letter's true purpose.
"Did Steiner..." She paused a bit, with her face turning slightly red. "...write me a love letter? Steiner..."
'It's official; Beatrix has fallen in love.' I thought, masking the humor that threatened to creep up on my face.
"I'll be... going now..." She said walking away from the docks. She turned to me and Choco one last time. "The princess would like to see you and your friends later on; it's best you stay." She then left the docks.
(End music)
"Wow, she's fallen hard, wouldn't you say, Choco?" I told the red bird.
"Well, that's how people in love are like, Ron." I heard a feminine voice reply.
"Uh, Choco? You sound like Lovrina now."
The voice chuckled. "Turn around."
As I turned around, I said, "This is getting freaky... ahhh!!" I saw Lovrina about two feet away from me as I jumped back. "How long were you here!?"
"I've been for awhile looking for Eiko." She replied, holding in her laughter. "Then I find you and Choco talking to that soldier."
"Yeah, she's the one that put me, Vivi, Zidane, Freya and Quina through the ringer." I said. "Luckily, it ended when Dagger was in trouble."
"It's sweet that she has someone that loves her." Lovrina sighed. "Makes me wish I had someone like that..."
"Oh yeah, it's just been you and Eiko for most of your life." I remembered.
"It has..." She replied. "But now, I've got a circle of friends as well as another family member. And... Maybe a potential suitor..."
My eyes bugged out when I heard this. "Already!? You've only been here for a week!"
"I know..." She smiled.
"Do any of us know this guy?" I asked. In my mind, I was kinda disappointed, was that dream I had in the Black Mage Village a lie?
"Yeah... He's closer that you think..." She said, smiling. "Now come on, I need your help finding my sister."
"Oh, okay..." I said, following her around the castle with Choco close behind.
(Alexandria Bar) (3rd POV)
The scene shifts back to Zidane, who was still moping around the bar, finishing another drink...
"Dagger... Are you all cozy on your throne already!?" He said, feeling angry. "No! No, no, no! I can't start my day without Dagger!" He gets a little happy, remembering her. "Her smile! Her voice! Her voice is like a beautiful song... And her song makes me soar high into the sky!" Then he goes back into depression...
"But now..."
"You can still fly high, darlin'!" Zidane turns around to see Ruby and the Tantalus gang, without Baku appeared through the door. "Zidane, you can do it!"
"She's right!" Cinna agreed.
"Why are you still moping?" Blank said, a little annoyed by his friend's behavior. "This isn't like you at all!"
"Yeah!" Marcus added.
"Stop it!" Zidane snapped. "You don't understand how I feel!" As Zidane heads for the exit, he gets belly-bumped back in, by his former boss. "Whoa!"
"Long time no see, Zidane!" Baku greeted. He looked over the teen and seen him in a wreck, like hasn't got any sleep and drowned his sorrows. "What happened? You look pathetic."
"Boss! Let me join Tantalus again!" Zidane said desperately. "We can steal treasure together, just like old times!"
"Treasure, eh?" Baku pondered. "There ain't much treasure lyin' around this world, boy. Besides..." He jabbed a finger on Zidane's shoulder. "A Tantalus always gets what he sets his eyes on! That's our number one rule, remember!?" Zidane widened his eyes at the rule. "No, you don't. You got no right to join us. You understand what I'm sayin'? If you can't even capture a canary, you ain't got what it takes to join Tantalus!"
"Boss..."
On cue, Vivi walks into the bar, straight to Zidane. "Hey, Zidane, can we go see Dagger?" He asks.
"Gwahahaha! Why can't you be more honest, like this little guy?" Baku says as he leads Ruby and the Tantalus boys out the bar.
"Can we? Can we? Please?" Vivi begged, like the little kid he was. "Ron's already over there with Choco!"
"Alright." Zidane caved in. "Let's cheer her on before she becomes a queen!"
"Yeah!" Vivi cheered.
(Gondola docks-Town)
The Burmecian soldier, Freya was there, talking to herself, pondering on what happened over the past week, after returning to Alexandria.
"That Zidane..." She angrily mutters. "Doesn't even stop by to say hello!"
As she leaves, Amarant walks by and the two stare at each other in passing.
"What are you staring at?" Freya asks.
Amarant grumbles a bit. "...Are you really that tough?" Suddenly they get into battle stances, whipping out their weapons. Over the course of the week, Amarant bought some Poison Knuckles, a purple set of claws that could unleash venom into the victim. Freya bought an Ice Lance with appearance that fits the name, that could freeze an opponent.
"Try me!" Freya challenged.
"I don't go looking for trouble, but I'll fight back if trouble finds me." Amarant said. Why don't you apologize, and maybe I'll forgive you."
"Ha!" Freya scoffed.
The two guards at the dock see the fight starting to heat up and ran over to the stop it.
"Stop right now or I will charge both of you with disorderly conduct!" One of them stated.
Zidane and Vivi arrive to see the tension rising between Freya and Amarant. "Hey! What's going on here?"
"Zidane!" Freya said, a little happy. "I'd love to stop and talk, but I'm busy right now."
Amarant looks over to Zidane as well. "Is she...a friend of yours?" Zidane nodded. Amarant drops his stance and turns his back on Freya. "Then tell her who I am. Tell her I'm the Flaming Amarant." He said, expecting the Burmecian to be afraid of him.
"Sorry, Amarant." Zidane apologized. "She's just a little worked up about something." He then goes over to the guards and turns on the charm, "Sorry, babe. They're my
friends. Will you let them go for my sake?"
The soldiers blushed. "S-Sure... Princess Garnet asked us to give special treatment to you, Master Vivi, and Miss Freya."
'Dagger...' He thought. "I-I see. Thanks!" The soldiers went back to their posts as Zidane approached Freaya. "Hey, Freya... Stop being so mad, alright?"
"Do you know why I'm really mad? It's because of you!" Freya snapped, having him jump back. "Where have you been!? Dagger is about to become queen, and you're off wandering about! Have you found out anything more about Kuja!?" She demanded but got no reply. "Well? Answer me!"
"Um... Well, I tried to find more info, but..."
Freya sighed. "Look, if Kuja was responsible for taking Dagger's eidolons... and killing Brahne, who was working with him... Don't you think he'd come after Dagger again!?"
"I know... But what can I do?" Zidane replied. "I couldn't even talk to her, remember? I don't even know if I can protect her... Besides, she's gonna be queen. She'll have all the guards she'll need. She won't need me."
"But Zidane..." Vivi stepped in. "I think Dagger wants to see you. So, let's go see her!"
"Yeah..." Zidane said. "But we'll leave as soon as we're done."
"Zidane..." Amarant stopped him, before getting on the boat. "You're not gettin' away from me. You still owe me a rematch."
Zidane shrugged. "Suit yourself."
The gondola arrives and they take it to the castle. As they arrive at the main hallway, Steiner walks out carrying Eiko by her angel-wing ornament, and Lani was being 'escorted' by two Alexandrian soldiers.
"Aaahhh! Leggo!!!" Eiko screamed.
"We weren't doing anything wrong!" Lani added. "Do you have any idea who you're pushing around!?"
Steiner and the soldiers throw the girls out on their bottoms.
"Ouch!" Eiko said. "This is no way to treat ladies!!"
"And we know the princess, so let us back in!" Lani demanded.
"Quit screaming, or I'll throw you into the dungeon!" Steiner retorted. Lani was so pissed off, she was about to draw her axe and chop the knight's head off, until...
"Whoa! Calm down people!"
(Ron's POV)
Lovrina, Choco and I rushed in between the two, with me blocking Lani's axe. "What's going on?"
"Ron, you wouldn't believe the horrible things this lowlife said to me!" Lani said.
Lovrina groaned as she turned to her sister. "What happened, Eiko?"
"Lovrina! Oh, it was horrible!" Eiko said, pointing to the rusty knight. "He called me a liar and a loudmouth and a brat!!!"
"And he called me a witch along with the liar and loudmouth comments!" Lani added.
"...He's right." Everyone turned to see Amarant along with
"What did you just say!?" Eiko shouted.
"Do you want to repeat that!?" Lani glared at her partner
Amarant just turned around and muttered. "Man, I hate kids, and Lani's like an older version of her..."
"Calm down a little." Freya said walking up to Eiko. "What's your name?"
"Me? I'm Eiko! Eiko Carol!" Eiko cheerfully introduced.
"Sorry about her, she's energetic." Lovrina stepped in. "I'm Lovrina Carol, her older sister."
"We're from Madain Sari!" Eiko added.
"Madain Sari?" Freya asked. "Why, I've never heard of it.
"Don't you know anything?" Eiko asked. "Madain Sari is a--"
"Eiko, quit being rude!" Lovrina scolded.
"Silence!" Steiner interrupted. "What are you all doing here!? This is a royal castle! You do not belong here!"
"I thought he grown out of that by now." I muttered.
Vivi stepped up to the knight. "Hello, Mister Steiner."
"Master Vivi!" Steiner bowed. "A pleasure to see you again."
"How come a little boy gets all the respect?" Lani asked.
"We came here to see Dagger." Vivi said to Steiner.
"The princess? Hmm..." Steiner pondered on it before smiling. "If that is Master Vivi's wish, I shall arrange a meeting."
"Thank you!" Vivi said.
A few minutes later, Steiner took us all to the hallway near the guardhouse. While we're waiting near the balcony, Amarant decides to lean against the door way.
"You all wait right there!" Steiner said as he walked up the stairs to the balcony above us. "Princess, we are ready."
The door opens with Dagger in her elegant dress, looking very beautiful.
"Thank you for coming, everyone." She says.
"She looks beautiful..." Eiko comments.
"Wow... You look beautiful!" Vivi says.
"Very nice!" I added.
"Kwweeh!" Choco said, making Dagger laugh. I bet she never had a Chocobo compliment her.
"Splendid!" Freya says. She also turns to Zidane who looks at Dagger, without a word. "Zidane? Have you nothing to say?"
Zidane slumps his shoulders, looking at the ground. "...No."
"Princess, we must go now." Steiner said.
I saw the sad look in Dagger's eyes, I knew she was valuing Zidane's opinion the most. "...Alright."
"Dagger, wait!" Eiko shouts as she runs up the stairs. "Dagger! Is this the last time we're ever gonna see each other?"
"Oh, no. Of course not." She replies. "I won't be able to wander around the world with you anymore ...but I'll never forget our journey together."
"Dagger... I wanted us to remain good rivals forever." Eiko said.
"Rivals?" Lovrina said, walking up to the two girls. "Eiko, you say funny things sometimes." She then turns to Dagger. "Anyway, it's good know we have family still around; take care."
"I will..." Dagger said. "Oh, there are some things I wanted to give you." She pulled out two jewels. One was a red, star-shaped jewel given to Eiko. Lovrina was given the Falcon Claw Jewel that Regent Cid let his niece keep. "I'll give you these jewels as a symbol of our friendship.
"Well here..." Lovrina held out a shining, white pearl and handed it to Dagger. "It's been passed down in summoner's to certain families in Madain Sari; you should have it."
"Thank you, both of you." The three summoners shared a group hug before she left with Beatrix and Steiner.
"Why didn't you say anything to her, Zidane?" Vivi asked.
"Yeah man, you had a chance to see and talk to her but you flaked out." I added.
"I don't know..." Zidane said, sitting on the ground. "I tried..."
"And?" Freya asked as Eiko and Lovrina walked back down.
"I couldn't say anything!" Zidane shouted, "I had a whole speech ready for her. But it would have been a lie! How could I lie to her!?" He then quoted what he was going to say. "'Good luck, Dagger! I'll be watching you from afar. Come find me if you need someone to talk to.' It's a big fat lie! That's not how I feel at all! That's not how I feel...at all." He then left out the castle leaving all of us bewildered.
"He's got it bad for her." Lani commented.
"Now he thinks he's too far away from her." Freya added.
"Oh, the whole 'royalty can only marry royalty thing?" Lani asked.
"Too bad, the Queen could overrule that." Lovrina said.
"The only thing that would protest it is Steiner." I added.
"How come?" She asked.
"During the beginning of our journey throughout the Mist Continent, Zidane's been pushing his buttons just for being around Dagger. Mainly it's because he's a former thief." I sighed. "But it still doesn't mean Zidane can't be with her; and it doesn't have to be long-distance either."
(3rd POV) (Castle Docks)
Later on, when night hits the castle, Eiko and Lovrina hang around near the empty gondola dock.]
"So, there's only room for Dagger in Zidane's heart..." Eiko said.
"It seems so, little pixie." Lovrina replied. "I wouldn't have been surprised seeing as they been together long enough for that to happen."
"I wish I hadn't written that stupid letter. Zidane looked so sad..." Eiko added. Isn't there anything I can do for him?"
'Letter?' Lovrina thought. 'Was it that letter that Beatrix had when I found Ron talking to her?'
"Aaahhhhhh! Zidane!!!" Eiko screamed. "I hate you!!! You insensitive fool!!! You don't even know how I feel..." She calmed a bit. "Lovrina, I feel bad about ditching him, but I really don't feel like seeing him tonight. I gotta go before he shows up!"
"Eiko listen, that let..." Lovrina was interrupted by some approaching footsteps.
"Shoot! Someone's coming! Could it be Zidane!?" Eiko whispered to her sister.
"Let's just hide, it could be the guards." Lovrina and Eiko hid behind the walls near the water. The approaching footsteps stopped, at it happened to be Blank and Marcus, running about.
"There's no one here, Bro." Marcus said.
Blank shrugged. "I guess I'm early..."
"...Maybe. I wonder who wrote you that love letter?"
Blank took out a letter. "Well... Just read the letter. I bet she's beautiful!"
"Really? Are you sure you didn't write it yourself?" Marcus asked. "I mean, you caught the letter falling from the floor above you, right?"
"I'm telling you, she was too shy to hand me the letter herself!" Blank argued. "And if you don't think I'm a ladies' man, you're wrong. Chicks are intimidated by good-looking guys. That's why..."
"Someone coming!" Marcus interrupted.
Blank got angry. "Marcus! Don't interrupt me while I'm talking!"
"Let's hide, Bro!"
Blank sighed. "Alright, alright..."
The two run to hide behind the wall opposite Lovrina and Eiko and Blank drops the letter in the hustle. Steiner was the one that appeared as both parties kept themselves concealed.
"I must tighten up security around the castle from now on!" Steiner declared to himself. "Dusk to dawn, rain to shine, I must patrol the castle!" He looks to the right. "Right, clear!" He looks to the left. "Left, clear! Huh?" He walked over to the letter that Blank dropped. "It's a piece of paper... This looks like a letter. Let's see..."
When the night sky wears the moon as its pendant, I shall await you at the dock.
Steiner started freaking out. "M-M-My goodness! Th-This is a love letter!" He shouted. "Who wrote it to whom!? Hmm..." He checked the envelope for any names. "No address or addressee... Did someone drop it here, knowing that I would pass by? Who could it have been...?"
"Steiner..." A voice called out to him. Steiner turned around to find...
"Beatrix..." Steiner says. "Was it you...?"
Back in the hiding places, the people were watching...
Eiko's heart started thumping. "A-Are they in love?" She whispered.
"Looks that way..." Lovrina said, smiling.
"B-Bro..." Marcus stuttered.
"Shh! Quiet!" Blank whispered. They all watched as the two knights walked slowly to each other, entranced by the sudden romantic aura that was set.
"Steiner..."
"Beatrix..."
Eiko moves to a better position to watch the scene unfold. "Ooo! What's gonna happen?"
"Eiko..." Lovrina laughed a bit.
"M-My nose is bleeding..." Marcus said.
"Then stick your thump up it!" Blank replied.
The spectators watch as Beatrix and Steiner move in for the kiss, but--
"AAA-CHOO! AAA-CHOO!"
Baku sneezes and walks into view, feeling embarrassed Steiner turns around and Beatrix ducks out of sight. The spectators, except Lovrina groaned at the interruption.
"Boss!?" Blank whined.
"Oh, you totally ruined the scene!" Eiko shouted.
"What!?" Baku said as everyone left. "What I do!?"
(Ron's POV)
I was with Freya, Lani, Vivi and Amarant hanging around the Bar. I sat with Freya and Lani having some water, still trying to stay away from being an alcoholic.
"That Zidane..." Freya muttered. "Where did he go?"
"Who knows..."Amarant said.
"I thought he'd come here after what he said." Lani thought out loud.
"So did I." I added.
Vivi got up from his seat. "I'll go look for him..." But as soon as he gets to the door, Eiko knocks him over as she walks in.
"Hey, watch it!" She shouted. "I'm NOT in a good mood right now! Stay out of my way!" Eiko walks over the lone stairway in the corner. Lovrina then walks in and shakes her head.
I walk over to her and whisper to her. "What happened to Eiko?"
"She's depressed that Zidane stood her up." Lovrina whispered back. "But in reality, he never got the love letter that she wrote earlier."
"What happened to it?" I asked.
"Believe or not, you seen it when Beatrix left." Lovrina replied.
"Whoa, did Steiner happen to show up?" I asked.
"He did and he thought she written the note."
I laughed a little at that. "So did they kiss?"
"No, some guy ended up sneezing and ruined the scene."
"Baku..." I said. I was actually hoping that they would kiss this time.
"Excuse me." We both turned to see a short man, about the size of a dwarf, wearing a business suit and thick glasses. "Have you seen a young lady named Eiko?"
"My sister?" Lovrina asked. "What for?"
"Oh, you must be her elder sister. I'm Dr. Tot, she asked for my help on writing a letter." He introduced himself. "I'm also the princess's former tutor."
"I'm Ron Harris, but just call me Ron." I shook his hand.
"And I'm Lovrina Carol."
"Oh! It's the nerdy guy!" We turned to see Eiko running over to him.
"Ha ha ha... You're as energetic as ever." The Doctor laughed.
"Yup! I'm always energetic!" She responded, trying to mask the pain she was hiding. "What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you a few questions about Madain Sari." Tot said.
"Sure, I'll tell you everything I know. You helped me out."
"Eiko, wait a second..." Lovrina said. "Why do you want to know about our village?"
"Well, I've been studying the summoner's village for 10 years now, but I always wanted to know how that and the princess were related." He confessed. "Also, the history of Alexandria is realted."
"Oh, that's okay." Lovrina replied.
"Yeah, but why don't we go to your place? We can relax there." Eiko said.
"To my home?" Tot asked. "My home is located in Treno. It's a bit far from here..."
"Treno? Sounds like a cool place!" Eiko exclaimed. "I'm really interested in sightseeing! I wanna go there."
"I'm coming with you!" Zidane rushes through the door. "There's a card game tournament going on in Treno right now. I wanna participate."
"A card game tournament?" Vivi asked. "That sounds fun. I wanna go, too..."
"I'd like to go, as well." Freya said.
"And me." Lani added.
"I need to check out this place, never been to Treno." I said.
"Treno, huh...?" Amarant muttered.
"Ha ha ha..." Tot laughed. "Quite a party this is becoming. It would be my pleasure. We shall all go to Treno."
Later on, we all go down to the Alexandria gargant station.
"There's still Mist here..." Zidane said, looking at the ground.
"Kinds looks like the Iifa Tree before we got rid of the Mist." Eiko commented.
"I don't think the Mist is as dense as it was before." Vivi said.
"Yes, I heard that you all stopped the Mist..." Tot said. "The Mist permeated through the roots. That is probably why it still lingers here."
*SREEK!*
The golden gargant with a larger carriage appeared in front of us.
"...This is a gargant?" Freya asked.
"You never saw one?" I asked her.
"I came down here with Steiner and Beatrix, but he had to walk through the Mist." She told me. "We also had to kill this green serpent monster to get by."
"Thank God!" I said.
"Yeah, when Dagger, Vivi, Ron and I escaped we were stopped by that thing." Zidane added. "It even played dead on us and caused us to go to Pinnacle Rocks."
"Well, shall we then..." Tot said, most of us were on the carriage already
"Oh right." Everybody got on the carriage, while decided to keep Choco company and ride with him along the Mist. At least we won't have to fight...
(3rd POV) (Alexandrian Square)
(Play Jester of the Moon)
As the gang heads out to Treno, two familiar jesters run into town at night.
"No one is here!" Zorn said.
"Is no one here, really?" Thorn asked.
"Yes!"
"Sure, you are about that?"
"That is enough!" Zorn snapped.
"Now, we do what?"
"We are going to ask Princess Garnet if we can return to the castle."
"Return to the castle? Can we really!?" Thorn asked hopefully.
"I will not know until..." The jesters hear footsteps approaching. "We must hide!"
Marcus and Blank appear at the square as Zorn and Thorn hide behind a statue.
"Looks like no one's here." Blank said, looking around the square.
"Yeah." Marcus replied.
"I guess this is about the only thing we can do for Zidane..." Blank says, unaware of anyone else "...keep up the night watch and preserve Alexandria's peace."
Marcus nodded "Yeah, I think so, too." Both of the Tantalus men walk around the plaza, which also causes Zorn and Thorn to shift around the statue.
"What a peaceful night. It's almost scary..." Blank said, feeling uneasy. "Okay, let's finish our rounds."
"Alright."
Both of them run off, not noticing the jesters that came out of hiding.
Zorn wiped the sweat of his head. "That was close."
"Now what?" Thorn asked.
"We cannot stay as long as those meddlers are here! We must leave Alexandria!" And with that the clowns leave Alexandria, for good...
Ah, it feels good to get right back to this. And I will continue to the end!
Next Time: The gang enters Treno (Scene of the gang inside Dr. Tot's tower.)
For some, pleasant memories (Scene of Vivi in a cave near Treno)
Others bitter ones... (Scene of Amarant talking to Lani and Freya)
Although, there is some new ones to be made (Scene of Ron and Lovrina battling a monster in the weapons shop)
Next Chapter: Night Party
Please Rate and Review! Later and Happy Thanksgiving!