Final Fantasy IX: The Rose of May

Prologue: Thief in the Night

[Narrator]: Month XII, Year MDCCXCIX. It is the fourth year of the Blood Feud, a horrendous battle amongst the four warring nations culminated in a month-long campaign. It is a barbaric tradition of unknown origin. It is no longer known, by the rulers or combatants, how the kingdoms had begun to war.

A war that would've been in its twenty-fifth year had it not been for this tradition, in which the dominant kingdom or the kingdom with the least casualties would become the ruling kingdom over the lands for the next five years until the next Blood Feud. It is the kingdom of Alexandria that has dominated this battle, winning two of the three Blood Feuds, the inaugural battle and the third Blood Feud.

This is where our story begins, in the winter month over the plains that stretch miles beyond the kingdom of Lindblum. The battle is yet again nearing its end, as the knights of both the kingdom of eternal rain, Burmecia, and the kingdom of Cleyra retreat. The leaders of both kingdoms withdraw from battle and surrender the war. The only two combatants that remain is the technologically advance kingdom of Lindblum and the dominant kingdom of Alexandria.

While having the advantage in advance weaponry and transportation, Lindblum lacks a true leader. The army is led by a conglomeration of the servants and guards of the regent and the remaining ranks are filled by engineers, scientists, and many other people whose occupation lacks the discipline of true soldiers.

What Alexandria lacks in technology, the kingdom more than makes up for in its grand army. Though built entirely of female soldiers, the army is well trained and led by the savvy General Beatrix. At only age 23, she is not only one of the youngest generals known in the war but the most famous, having decisively won the third Blood Feud with the least bloodshed.

Now back to the story, it is a white night nearing the end of the campaign. It is a quiet night with the only sound resonating from each camp being the flames of campfires. The glow of the red moon reflected onto the pure white of the snow of the battlefield.

[?]: Oh score! This is a sweet ass sword, oh and check out this baby. Aw man, I am gonna be so rich.

[?]: Zidane, shut up! You don't wanna get caught do you?

[Zidane]: No, but just check it out Blank. This lady's got some great stuff.

[Blank]: looks at it inquisitively How much you think it's worth?

[Zidane]: I don't know, but it looks more expensive than the other things we stole.

[Blank]: Whatever, just put it the bag and let's head out. Marcus said that they have an hourly patrol here.

[Zidane]: … Zidane stuffs all the items into a knapsack

[Blank]: Hurry up, your taking too long.

[Zidane]: Sorry, but this lady got a lot of expensive shit.

[?]: Intruders!

[Blank]: looks at Zidane disdainfully What did I tell you about hurrying up?

[Zidane]: Now's not the time for I told you so's.

[Blank]: grins Oh, there's always time for a good I told you so.

[?]: runs Intruders!

[Blank]: Shit! We should've ran when she first yelled that.

[Zidane]: Ha! I…

[Blank]: Don't you dare finish that sentence.

[Zidane]: walks towards Blank … told you so.

[?]: There they are! Get them!

[Zidane]: Shit! Here they come! Both boys cut a large gaping hole in the tent and run.

[Blank]: How many times have I heard that before? laughing

[Zidane]: Now's not the time for that.

[Blank]: Should we split up then?

[Zidane]: Meet me at the hideout.

[Blank]: If you don't see me there…

[Zidane]: Don't say it.

[Blank]: What? I was just gonna say, if you don't see me at the hideout. I'll be over at the Red Light District.

[Zidane]: How can you be joking at a time like this? We are being chased by admittedly hot women with swords and spears.

[Blank]: chuckles You'd think by now you'd be used to being chased by women that wanna kill you.

[Zidane] as they part, Zidane yells Patches, you asshole!

[Narrator]: Zidane Tribal was a man of no more than 21 years of age, a thief by trade and a letch of a man. He had messy, dirty blonde hair that framed his youthful face. He was slim and short and the only extraordinary detail of his person was his tail. Not that there weren't creatures or races with tails, but he was the only one of such human appearance with an oddity such as his monkey-like tail.

He lived with his 'brothers' in the city of eternal darkness, Treno. The youngest of the 'brothers', Zidane also proved to be one of the most talented at thieving with the only one to best him being his best friend and fellow Tantalus Troupe member, Blank. This tightly knit group of thieves is extremely well known throughout the land. However, there reputation comes from their performance onstage, usually used as a distraction to camouflage there less than scrupulous activities.

Zidane ran across the plains at great speeds, easily outrunning the armor clad soldiers. Unsure if they were to follow him, Zidane took refuge in the nearby forests, hoping that the thick trees would offer him sanctuary until he could leave in the morn. A cold bead of sweat worked its way down Zidane's brow as he panted heavily against the trees. No longer sensing danger, Zidane traveled further into the forested area to inspect his grab. Upon further traveling, he spotted something unusual in the air.

[Zidane]: Steam?

[Narrator]: Zidane walked further into the forest to where the steam was originating. To his surprise, the thickness of the trees faded into a glade with a natural hot spring in the center. The sight left him in awe, but what had truly left him speechless was the beauty in the center of it all. A young girl was bathing in the hot spring. He dropped his sack of treasure to get a much closer look.

Usually, Zidane would be so bold as to invite himself in with the girl and make some lewd comment but the girl herself was so astoundingly beautiful that it left him paralyzed. She had fair skin, a smooth complexion as pale as the snow itself and lush, gorgeous hair that concealed half her face as well as her breasts. She had full lips, the kind that was created for the sole purpose of kissing. Beyond this, she would've just been another girl that he would've loved to 'love', but what lovely sounds that came from her lovely lips ceased those thoughts.

[?]: … singing

war leaves its trail
in moonlight so pale
its shadows they flow
in rivers, in rivers
so put on my mask
I'll go where they ask
so I might once again see the
Roses of May

[Zidane]: Whoa…

[?]: Who's there!

[Narrator]: Shocked that he was heard, Zidane turned to flee but slipped on some garments that had been meticulously placed on the rocks beside him. Falling onto his hind side, the clothes flew up into the air, and a pair of lacy lingerie fell onto his face. Turning to back, with bra and panties in hand, Zidane felt a deathly chill as he faced the woman he had been watching.

[Zidane] nervously laughing Uh, hi?

Ms. Sweet T: Hi! This is going to be my first fanfic and it has been floating around my head for awhile. It's going to a an AU, obviously, with the main pairing being between my two favorite characters. I was originally going to make this a oneshot, but I didn't have the heart to do it. Zidane/Beatrix

For those who are not familiar with Final Fantasy IX history, the year is based off the first year that Soulcage was dropped onto Gaia (Soulcage being the thing that created the mist). And for those unfamiliar with roman numerals the month and year is 12, 1799.

The inspiration for this story actually goes to katethegreat19, whose fanmade lyrics to Beatrix's theme song "Rose of May" is the spark to this story. For those who haven't heard katethegreat19's "Rose of May", then go youtube it right now! It's that amazing.