Forever Means Always
(Part 9- True Friends)
By Alria
Disclaimer: Ughyou know the drillIt's just the same as the first 8 disclaimers
Author's Note: HELLO, all you beautiful readers out there! Hmmwow, this is a first. I actually don't have anything to say (Loud cheers and clapping from readers) WellEnjoy.
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"What am I going to do?" Zidane asked to no one in particular as he sat on a large rock just outside of Alexandria. He had been asking this question repeatedly ever since Liana had dropped him back into the world of the living nearly an hour ago. When he had talked to Karten about a battle he hadn't wanted to get his friends involved. But now they were involvedand it was all his fault. Zidane bowed his head in sorrow. Vivihe had gotten ALL of them muddled up in this battle. And not just any battle, a battle with sorkins! Was there even a tiny glimmer of hope that they wouldn't all be dead within the first minute? Of course, he could just not tell them about Karten's proposal and not show upbut he knew that was out of the question. He could never bring himself to leave Dagger to Kartenleave her to become a soulless droid. But did he have the right to risk the lives of all of his friends as well?
"Zidane!" cried a familiar voice as Zidane heard the pounding of metal on the ground. Zidane sighed. Steiner.
"Hello, Rusty," he said quietly, still in a sullen mood. The rattling of Steiner's armor came to a halt as the captain appeared in front of Zidane, panting.
"Why didn't you come back to the castle? When my wife told me you had gone to the underworld after the queen, I was worried sick!" he cried. Zidane smiled wryly.
"You, worried? About a "monkey" like me?" he asked. Steiner snorted.
"Of course about you! Beatrix wouldn't tell me what was going on at first, but I finally got it out of her. I still don't know why she wouldn't tell mewe ARE married" Zidane smiled.
"She probably didn't want you to get worried," he said. Steiner nodded.
"Truethat could have been the reason. But stilloh! I almost forgot. If you're backGarnet?" he asked hopefully. Zidane's smile faded, and he looked down at the dusty ground.
"She's alivebeing held prisoner by the leader of the sorkins," he said quietly. Steiner's eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched in a dangerous scowl.
"Prisoner!? The hethan! We must rescue her! Storm the castle walls!" he cried. Zidane held up his hand.
"Wow, hang on, Rusty. Ithat isyou might get your chance," he said softly. Steiner looked at Zidane quizzically, his red face easing back to its normal pale color.
"What do you mean? You've arranged a raiding party?" he asked. Zidane shook his head.
"II made a deal with Karten. In five hours he's going to show up in this very field with an army of sorkins. If we, being everyone in the gang, can beat his army, we can take Dagger back," he explained. Steiner smiled nonchalantly.
"Sorkins? They sound like a bunch of pixies. Let Kartenor whoever he isbring his army. Aldebert Steiner is ready!" he bellowed, drawing his sword. Zidane looked drolly at Steiner, one eyebrow raised.
"Sorkins are beings from the underworld that I'm not sure can even be killed. They have the power to kill you with a single tough. You're not ready, Rusty; I don't even think I'M ready," he said bluntly. Steiner's eyes widened.
"Killwith atouch? You mean to tell me you got EVERYONE mixed up in a battle with possibly immortal, death dealing demons!?" he cried, enraged. Zidane sighed.
"That's pretty much it. You can always turn around and walk awaybut if we don't show, Karten will take Dagger away forever. I'm willing to fight with every last breath of life in my body for herand I was hoping that you would help," he explained. Steiner hesitated. It was his duty to protect the queenbut was he willing to give up his life for her? He had a family to think about now, what with being a married man now. Could he really throw all that away? He was about to tell Zidane he'd think about it, when he looked down at him. Poor boyhis eyes were completely crusted with dried tears, and he looked as if his soul had been shattered into a million pieces. Steiner mentally gave himself a good, solid kick. It was his duty as the Captain of the Knights of Pluto to go into battleas well as his duty as a friend. He had to fightfor Zidane AND Dagger.
"ZidaneI didn't mean tothat is(why were words always so difficult to piece together?) I would be honored to fight along side you to save Garnet," he said. Zidane lifted his head and looked up at Steiner, eyes shining with happiness.
"Thanks, Rusty. You're certainly a surprising person," suddenly, Zidane's face darkened, and he bowed his head once again. "I just hope everyone else can forgive me as easy as you did. It's all my faultwhat if they're killed? How can they ever forgive-"
"Zidane Tribal, stop that nonsense right now."
Zidane looked up at Steiner in surprise. He had never heard the knight use such a firm voice before. Especially with him.
"What?" Zidane asked. Steiner crossed his arms.
"You heard me. I told you to stop that nonsense."
"What do you mean?"
"Listen. If I, a stubborn shortsighted old knight, can forgive you, why do you say the others won't? We all care about youand Garnet, and we're willing to fight for you. I mean, its not like we haven't risked our lives before," he explained, a smile on his face. Zidane grinned, his blue eyes gleaming.
"Who would have thought old Rusty would turn out to be motivational speaker," he said playfully. Steiner sighed.
"Surprise, surprise, huh? So, when is this Karten guy going to show up?" he asked. Zidane frowned.
"Damn! I've been siting here moping for nearly two hours! He'll be here in four! We've got to hurry!" he cried. Steiner nodded.
"Yes. Everyone is at the castle now, what with Garnet's untimely death. We have to go and tell them about Karten!" he said, sounding quite nervous. Zidane stood up and nodded.
"We've got to hurry. We all need to warm up and be at are bests if we're going to fight sorkins," he said. Steiner sheathed his sword and began to walk off towards the castle.
"Oh, and Rusty?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks. You really helped me a lot." Steiner smiled, his dark eyes sparkling like diamonds.
"Don't mention it. It's only the truth." And with that the two friends started to run towards Alexandria castle and break the shocking news to the rest of the group
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Hmmokay, that was kinda a dull chaptersorry about that. I just didn't want to go straight to the battle. Anyway, the next one will be MUCH more exciting. It's gonna have swords and magic and all the works!! Butthe question isout of the six friends entering the battle, who will come out alive??? Find out next time in chapter 10!!