Dissidia 011: Undecim

Starstruck

"Bartz? Locke?" I said quietly, looking around in the darkness I'd found myself in.

I couldn't remember what had happened. Everything was a blur for the most part. All I could recall was shouting for them and not being heard. I still wasn't clear on exactly what had happened. All I knew now though…was that I was somehow in another place. I just didn't know what that place was.

"Hello?" I asked, slowly creeping forward.

My heart beat faster. There was no sound other than my footsteps – which I tried to keep quiet. I grabbed onto my amulet tight as I kept moving. It was so dark; nearly pitch black. All I could do was keep walking forward…or, at least what I thought was forward.

"…Zidane?" I said, whimpering.

No one replied still and I figured I really was alone.

"Where am I? Where'd everyone go?"

I glanced upward at more darkness.

"Where'd I go?"

I looked down as I kept grasping my amulet. I was scared. I didn't know what to do or where to go. I couldn't even see anything – which only made it far worse. I had no idea where I was, why, or how. I just…was.

I took a deep breath and sighed, trying to fill my head with positive thoughts in hopes of getting through this easier. It wasn't like I thought some kind of monster would attack me out of nowhere, but after all we'd been through…it wasn't too hard to imagine something like it happening – especially now.

"I've got to get out of here and find Cosmos. Everyone's probably there already."

I said such as a means to drive myself to get out of this place. I figured if I gave myself good enough reason…I'd be out before I knew it – before anything could happen. I picked up my pace as I headed forward a little faster. I didn't see any signs of a door or any way out, but I kept moving. If I didn't let it get to me, I wouldn't be afraid. If I wasn't afraid, I could get out of here. That alone…was enough for me.

Before I got much further though, I suddenly saw a light come on and shine down on a small area ahead of me.

"What?"

I stopped right in my tracks as I stared ahead at the light. I tried to get an idea of where I was by looking at the area it was lighting – but nothing.

"Hello?" I asked quietly, again creeping toward it slowly.

Someone was obviously here and depending on who it was – I tried not to be seen or heard just yet. I could only hope who it could be, but what were the chances I was right, after all?

"Zidane? Is that you?"

I stepped a little closer and finally got my answer as someone's voice rang out.

"Ladies and gentlemen…welcome to the show starring your favorite star!"

I recognized the voice immediately as a figure jumped into the light and started spinning in the air.

"…ME!" the figure shouted with a grin, as all the lights came on and I saw I was at the M.S. Prima Vista.

"Kuja!" I said, as my jaw dropped in shock and horror.

Kuja looked at me with a smirk.

"Oh, what have here now? Garnet? Well, well, welcome to the show! You're just in time, girl."

I didn't know what he was talking about, but I wasn't in the mood for his games…or his stupid "show". It was obvious to me now what was going on and I really wasn't happy about it.

"What have you done to Zidane?" I asked, angrily, trying to hide any fear I still had.

"Zidane? Nothing…yet." he said.

I looked at him in question.

"What?"

Kuja seemed more than happy to answer my questions, which I found quite disturbing more than anything. I knew his actions and way of thinking all too well – so I knew when he was truly up to no good.

"It's unfortunate that Zidane is not here at this moment. My show was going to be made especially for him. What an ungrateful worm, he is."

He looked at me and I glared back at him.

"But...now that you're here as a little bonus, we may see him yet after all!" he said, laughing to himself.

I didn't know what he was planning, but I was not about to be bait for Zidane. I'd officially had enough of Kuja, Chaos, and the others. I was sick of being treated as a game piece and constantly put in check. For once…it was time to turn the tables.

Without thinking, I found myself bracing to fight. I really wasn't quite sure what I'd do all by myself, but something would come to mind…I hoped. Either way, there was only one thing on my mind – that Kuja had to pay. No matter what it took, I was willing to make sure he did.

"Oh, what's this? You want to fight me? How preciously naïve." he said, as he laughed again.

I didn't reply. I just kept staring at him angrily; ready to do whatever it took to take him down. I actually couldn't believe what I was thinking, but I did what I could to hide any doubts. I couldn't let him see a weak point.

"You know – you yourself should also consider show-business." he said.

"I won't let you hurt Zidane…or anybody anymore." I said, staring him down.

Kuja smirked as he turned his head a bit.

"Quite a mouth you've got, girl. You seem to have forgotten your place here. This is my show – and if that's so…" he said, as he floated into the air.

I watched him rise, a bit of fear swelling up. I didn't know what was going to happen next, but I really wished now that I had just kept running.

"You're just a PROP!" he shouted, as he shot a few orbs at me.

I did my best to dodge them, barely managing to do so successfully, much to even my surprise.

Kuja looked down at me in disgust as he grunted before firing more.

I did my best to dodge those as well, but with an even closer call than before. I wasn't very fast, so I knew I couldn't keep doing this. One more time, and…I didn't even want to think about that.

"Well, it seems our show has been delayed on due to circumstances beyond our control." Kuja said.

We both stared at each other for a moment before he spoke again.

"But…the how those circumstances are resolved, well…that's a different story." he said, as his orbs gathered closer around him.

I gave up trying to hide my fear as I finally cowered, burying my face in my hands as I dropped my head. I could feel it undoubtedly. This was it. It was all over for me right here and now. There was no way I could possibly get out of this alive.

Kuja unleashed Ultima on me without hesitation…and I had nowhere to run as I could feel them coming down toward me. I took what I expected to be my last breath.

"GARNET!" a voice shouted.

The next thing I knew, I was flying through the air and heard Ultima crashing into the ground - the sound getting fainter every second.

I felt my feet touch the ground and slowly opened my eyes.

"What?" I asked, looking around.

I wasn't sure what to make of it. What had just happened? I should have been hit by Ultima, and yet somehow…I was still alive; unscarred. There was no reason it should have worked out like that.

"Garnet." the same voice from before said.

I recognized it, too, right away and turned around to see Zidane.

"ZIDANE!" I shouted, hugging him right away.

There was no doubt in my mind it was really him and I had no hesitation as I held him tight and so did he. He had saved me – just as he'd promised he'd always do. Knowing exactly how real that promise was now…there weren't enough words to express how I felt.

"Are you alright? It's okay. You're safe now. I'm sorry I was late." he said.

I shook my head quickly.

"No. It's fine. You were just in time. Thank you."

I smiled and nodded, letting him know he hadn't let me down. After what he'd done…I was sure he never could.

"CURSE YOU, ZIDANE!" Kuja's voice echoed through the area.

Zidane and I looked back toward the center of the Prima Vista and saw Kuja in his trance. He had clearly gotten serious now.

I looked at Zidane in a panic and he nodded in response. I knew what he was thinking, but I couldn't let him do it. If something had happened to him…I didn't want to think about that either.

"Wait here. I'll be right back." he said.

I looked at him in worry and I could tell it showed upon seeing his reaction. Still…he only smiled at me again and leaned toward me.

"I promise."

He turned back around and ran toward Kuja, ready to take him on alone. I wanted to go and help him; fight by his side in appreciation for saving my life. Unfortunately, I was still shaken up from what had happened before and I could barely move because of it. I could only hope he'd truly be okay. He had promised, yes. But, still…I couldn't help but worry for him.

As I saw them start fighting from a distance, it only made me want to jump in even more. I couldn't let him do it alone – no matter what he said. I had to do something. I had to. My heart raced. A million thoughts flashed through my mind. I knew that if I didn't take this chance, I could end up regretting it. How I would exactly…was what got to me. I couldn't afford to let fear take over as it was.

"Zidane!"

I started to rush to his aide when I was blocked by the appearance of manikins.

"What?" I asked, seeing that my path was blocked.

I slowly backed up. I could see Zidane and Kuja behind them, but it killed me that I couldn't get to them. I looked at the manikins – they're cold, eerie eyes piercing me with their creepy stares. The fact that they didn't talk…only made them creepier, in the least.

I didn't know what to do – again. I couldn't very well fight them all, but I couldn't just stand back and risk something happening to Zidane either. What could I do? I had to think of something.

Suddenly, one of them struck at me without warning and I saw its blade come down on me fast. It was too fast for me to react in time – like déjà vu.

I quickly lowered my head. I couldn't stand it. This truly was it.

"GARNET! NO!" Zidane shouted.

"AAHH!" I screamed.

Suddenly…it was quiet. Nothing. Was I dead? I was, wasn't I? It was all dark…again. Everything that had just happened was a blur that become foggier each second. The last thing to fade from my mind...was Zidane's shout of terror. Then, I heard someone calling my name.

"GARNET!" a voice hollered.

I heard footsteps running toward me as I slowly opened my eyes.

*Author's Note* - First of all, I'm sorry if this chapter seemed a little off at times. I stupidly chose to write this late at night, and I apologize as it was intended to be one of my best since it's significant to the story. Also, speaking of significance…the "Teen" rating I gave this story will be made obvious as to why within the next few chapters.