Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX©.... SquareSoft does... POOH!! Now I can't own Zidane.... curses!!

Dedication: To everyone... -^_^-

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~~Chapter 1~~

Friends or Foes?

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Garnet awoke from the dream when she heard a light knocking at her bedroom doors. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes like a little girl and lightly scratched her head.

" C-come in " she called out in a shaky voice.

" Majesty? You alright? "

The General of Alexandria's head popped into the room and she looked at Garnet with a frown on her face. Garnet Til Alexandros the 17th smiled lightly as she rose from her chair by the window. " Yes, why do you ask? "

" You seem... well, you're carrying that same look of pain on your beautiful face as you did two years ago wh - " Beatrix stopped when she saw the pain flicker in her soft chocolate brown eyes. " Majesty, forgive me. I... I didn't me - "

Garnet raised a hand as she shook her head. " It's alright, Beatrix. I was just dreaming about him again, that's all. "

Beatrix smiled and bowed slightly. " Any word from Eiko yet about those other Eidolons? "

Garnet shook her head. " Sadly no. Apparently she can't make out the other two paintings on the Eidolon wall back in Madain Sari. "

" Strange... still no word of Zidane or from? "

Garnet felt a lump of tears slowly form in her throat. " N-no. Not that I know of... "

" I'm sorry, Majesty "

" You have no need to be, Beatrix, " Garnet replied softly as she walked towards her best friend and loyal guard, taking her hands in her own gloved ones. Garnet gave them a friendly squeeze.

Beatrix looked into the sad eyes of her Queen and she smiled lightly as she squeezed back. " How long has it been? Two years now? "

Garnet frowned deeply and then nodded, her voice wavering slightly. " Y-yes. I don't think he's coming back this time, Beatrix. "

Beatrix swallowed and decided to use her name for the first time in years. " Garnet, please don't. You mustn't believe that. He will co - "

" No! He won't. He came back once, but... but I don't think he'll be coming back again. Why would he? "

" Garnet, he will come back. He did before, so why can't he do it again just one more time? You must have hope. Don't give up on it... or him, " Beatrix pleaded.

Garnet swallowed thickly and chewed on the inside of her cheek. " And why shouldn't I give up hope, Beatrix? "

Beatrix pulled her hands away from Garnet's and she went to stand by the window with her arms crossed over her chest. " Garnet... just because he said goodbye - "

Garnet spun around and glared at her. " But he didn't even say goodbye! That's the thing. He left during the night, without a single note saying where'd he be or a goodbye. "

Beatrix sighed loudly as she continued to look out the window. " Garnet... he'll be back.... goodbye doesn't mean forever... with or without a goodbye... it won't matter. Because it just doesn't mean forever... "

She then turned and headed for the door. She stopped and shot Garnet a sad look over her shoulder. Beatrix then disappeared behind the closing door...

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Garnet watched in hurt and confusion as Beatrix's words tried to sink into her mind. She blinked a couple of times before turning and walking over to the window. She then crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the windowstill. Her chin dimpled in and out as she fought not to sob, and she closed her eyes against the warm moist tears that threatened to spill over her long black lashes.

Images of Zidane and her enjoying sunny days, just fooling around outside played across her mind.

His deep throathy laughter echoed through her mind and the tears that threatened to spill over, spilled over her lashes. Sparkling and gleaming in the sunset as they slid down her cheeks in single file, landing on her bare arms. Garnet sniffed lightly and reached up to wipe at her cheeks with the backs of her hands. A loud knock at the door brought her back to the present from her memories.

" Majesty? You might want to come check this out... "

Garnet slowly turned and walked from the window towards the door. It slowly opened and Beatrix's head popped in for the second time that day. " You're crying again? Please don't. There are two... uh... er, people who wish for an audience with you. "

Garnet nodded. " Who might these 'people' be? "

Beatrix held the door open wide and Garnet glided past her. " Uh... they use to work for your mother... for Brahne. "

' They couldn't have come back, not after what they did to Alexandria and I! This is absurd. I will not let them back into the castle.... '

Garnet cocked an eyebrow. " You don't mean...? "

" Yes. I believe I do. "

" Where are they now? I thought they were dead? "

" So did I. They're in the front hall by the dungeon doors... surrounded by tons of guards, " Beatrix informed her, her tone hard and bitter.

Garnet nodded. " Right. Let's go greet them, " she replied softly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

They both headed down the hall towards the stairs that led to the front doors, where the two mysterious people awaited their arrival...

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Adelbert Steiner glared at the two unexpected guests. He had his sword out and now helr it at their throats. " Why have you come to Alexandria? You know you're not welcome here! " he spat.

Zorn sharply turned his painted face towards his twin brother, the little balls hanging from his pink joker's hat jingled loudly. " We know. We sorry, but... we were scared, we were! We had no place other to go... so we come home. "

Thorn's bell jingled as he bobbed his head up and down in agreement. " Right! We want to speak with Garnet. We want to beg for forgiveness, we do. "

Steiner growled under his breath as he eyed the two jokers. He drew his sword from their necks and sheathed it quickly. " Why would you want to do that? You fools betrayed all of Alexandria by joining forces with Kuja! Beatrix has gone to call upon the Queen. She will decide which punishment is best for you two traitors. But, until then you will spend your time in the dungeons below. "

Zorn and Thorn began to tremble visibly as they never tore their gazes from Steiner's serious and expressionless one. Steiner nodded towards five of the guards on the left. They slammed their fists against their chests before they grabbed Zorn and Thorn by the arms. They led them down the hall, turning a dim corner, they stopped in front of a large metal door.

They fitted a key into the lock and turned it to the left.

The door slid open and two guards looked up at the two holding Zorn and Thorn. They slammed their fists against their chests and moved to the side, allowing them to pass. Zorn and Thorn struggled slightly against the guards as they heard the tortured screams of the other prisoners float up from the dark stairwell. The guards just backhanded them across the head. Steiner heard their yelps of pain and he frowned deeply.

He began to think in silence to himself as he crossed his arms over his armor covered chest. ' What are they plotting to do this time? Have they really decided to change their ways? Maybe this is the first step in completing their plan... getting into the castle... '

Steiner was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice the hooded figure scurrying past him in a rush towards the stairs that led to Garnet's room....

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Beatrix walked down the stairs quickly with Garnet following close behind. She spotted Steiner leaning against a wall by the dungeon door.

" Steiner! " Beatrix yelled across the hall to him.

Steiner's head snapped up and he blinked once before settling his gaze on her. He frowned and pushed off the wall. He slowly walked towards them with a dazed look on his face. When he saw Garnet's face, he gasped and then bowed deeply. " Majesty..."

Garnet smiled briefly and nodded. He stood up and looked at Beatrix. He slammed his fist against his chest and she did the same. " Steiner... why don't you tell Garnet about our unexpected visitors? "

" Uh... They're in the dungeons as we speak. I'm sure you know who they are already, Majesty? "

Garnet slowly nodded. " I believe that their names are Zorn and Thorn. Am I correct? "

Steiner nodded smiling gently. " Yes, Majesty, you are correct. Shall I get them for you now? "

Garnet opened her mouth to reply, but Betrix stepped in between them, cutting her off. " Steiner? Can I talk with you... just over there? " she pointed to a table with purple and pink roses that decorated the top.

Steiner frowned, but he followed her after apologizing to Garnet. " What is it, Beatrix? "

Beatrix turned to look at him, suspicion clear in her eyes as they searched his features. " Did they mention anything about Zidane? Or even his where abouts? "

Steiner shook his head slowly. " No, nothing about Zidane... I'm sorry. But they did mention why they're back in Alexandria... they want to beg for forgiveness. "

Beatrix's left brow shot up in question. " Oh...why? "

Steiner just shrugged and watched her closely. " For betraying her Majesty and all of Alexadnria "

Beatrix was taken aback by that answer. " Oh... well, get them up here. "

" Right. "

Steiner looked at the two guards who were standing at the door of the dungeon. He nodded and waved a hand through the air. They returned his nod. The door opened noisily and shouts of anger and confusion traveled through the air from the dark doorway. There was a loud grunt and something pink and then blue flew past Steiner and Beatrix, and crashed into one of the pillars of marble that decorated the hall.

Steiner and Beatrix turned to find Zorn and Thorn laying on top of each other in a heap. Steiner frowned and took a step towards them. " The Queen of Alexandria is here to see you, as you had requested. Now, don't keep her waiting or else you'll both be sorry, " he threatened.

They both stood up and brushed themselves off. They then slowly approached Garnet with their heads bowed and their hands clasped behind their backs. Garnet looked down at them and crosses her arms over her chest. " So... what do you two traitors have to say to me? "

Zorn looked up at her and frowned. " We... we wish to be allowed back into Alexandria. We didn't mean any of the bad things that happened in the past. We were scared of what Kuja or Brahne would do to us if we had disobeyed their wishes. Could you please... oh, our beautiful Queen of Alexandria allow us to come home? We have no other place to go and this is our last resort, " he pleaded.

Thorn nodded and his bells jingled loudly, echoing off the walls in the now completely silent room...

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Garnet uncrossed her arms quickly and took a step back in surprise. As soon as the bells on Thorns hat jingled she began to feel strange. Her body slowly began to go numb, but she still could move around properly.

Steiner eyed her carefully and closely with confusion in his beady black eyes. " Majesty? Are you alright? You look somewhat... pale. "

Garnet turned her head to the sound of his deep voice. She nodded slowly then brought her attention back to Zorn and Thorn.

' What's going on? Why do I feel lik this... Is it because I..? No... it can't be... then what? ' she thought to herself.

Garnet heard her voice speak out, but she couldn't feel her lips moving. " I will allow you back into Alexandria. You can have you old rooms back... the ones at the far end of the south side in the castle. Please... if there is anything that I can do for you... just ask. Don't be afraid. "

Zorn and Thorn exchanged curious and confused glances with each other before looking back at her and nodding. They then turned and left the hall in silence. When Zorn and Thorn were gone, Beatrix stepped up to Garnet. " What's going on? Why did you let them back into Alexandria? Have you lost your mind? "

Steiner nodded in agreement. " She's right, your Majesty. That was a foolish move that you just made. It isn't safe for them to be in the castle..." he sighed loudly before squinting to look at her face. " M-majesty? You're sure you're alright? Maybe you should sit down or rest. "

Garnet saw her hand wave away his concern and declared. " Steiner... Beatrix, what I say goes. Not what you have to say. I'm the Queen... you're not. Don't you ever go against my word again. Ever! "

Beatrix and Steiner looked at Garnet suspiciously then back at each other, their eyebrows raised in question and in surprise at the sudden attitude. They shrugged and and then slammed their fists against their chests in understandment.

Garnet nodded, turned and began to walk away. She was not even a few feet away from them when her knees suddenly buckled. Her legs went out from under her and she crumpled to the ground unconscious and unaware of what had just happened...

To Be Continued...

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Author's Note: Well, there's chapter one for ya, in the chapter's old spot after I seperated the chapter 1 from the prologue... *chuckles* Well... Ja ne!

Leia Avenrose or Leia Avenrose

C.O.U.R.A.G.E. or C.O.U.R.A.G.E.