Together In My Dreams

Together In My Dreams

(Part 4- Dreamwalker)

By Alria

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the FF9 characters or settings.

A/N: I'm sorry it's been awhile, but there's been a few things on my mind, like finals and such. Sowwy. If you read the story, please review. It normally wouldn't bother meits just so many people asked me to write this sequel, and I want to know they're seeing it. It would really brighten up my day. Next, if you can, please stop by my eGroup. We really need members. For those of you who are already members, tell your friends! Have your friends tell their friends! Have your friend's friends tell their- (Loud thump as someone whacks Alria over the head with something hard) Owwiewell, you get the idea. That's about it. Enjoy!

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Garren grinned happily.

"Excellent! I'm so glad you understand! Come, Dreamwalker, we have much to teach you!" he said cheerfully.

Zidane stared at Garren oddly. There was that "Dreamwalker" thing again. Why did they keep calling him that? Perhaps they thought he was someone elseZidane shook his head. That couldn't be it; if Zidane wasn't the right person, why would they know all that about his past? What WAS a Dreamwalker, anywayand how did he qualify for the position?

"UmGarren? Flara? You've been mentioning this 'Dreamwalker' thing since I woke up. Whatis it?" he asked. This time it was Flara who spoke up, a warm smile on her face.

"It's quite simple, actually. When the powers of the underworld mix with that of the light, namely, when a sorkin marries someone with powers in the world of the living, it grants you special power. That power is the ability to walk in the world between the living and the deadthe World of Dreams. Since your mother was a sorceress and your father was a sorkin you have that special power. It is our duty to help you develop it. That is our mission," she explained. Zidane stared at her blankly.

"So, I can 'walk in the world between.' Great. What exactly does that mean?" he asked. Flara chuckled.

"Why, it means you can visit the dreams of anyone in the world. You can speak to them while they sleep, no matter where they are," she explained. At hearing this, Zidane's heart lightened. If he could enter the dreams of anyone he wanted, he could go and see Dagger! He could explain everything to hertell her he was in the hands of his family. And while he was being taught, it would be as if they weren't even apart! Zidane, a wide grin on his face, looked up at Garren and Flara.

"Well, why didn't you say so! How do I do it?" he asked hopefully. The twin sorkins looked at each other with nervous glances.

"Dreamwalking is supposed to take months, even years before the pupil is ready to even try. You will be here a long time, I'm afraid," Garren explained.

Zidane felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach. Years!? Two weeks away from Dagger had been hard enough! And what would happen to her? Zidane squeezed his eyes shut as he nibbled his bottom lip. If he had to endure seeing her tears on his accountZidane's ice blue eyes shot open as if they had been jerked by a string.

"How dare you! You can't expect me to simply vanish from my old life for that long! I have a wife to think of, as well as a kingdom to help rule!" he snarled. Garren smiled comfortingly.

"I know its hard, but once you gave control of all your abilities, you'll be able to protect your family and your kingdom better. And you can send your wife letters if you want, and then she'll know you're in good hands," he said. At this Zidane perked up a bit. A letter! He could tell Dagger everything she needed to know while he mastered his power here! Of course it wasn't the same as the real Daggerbut learning to use his powers was of the utmost importance. He would wait, if he had to, though it tore him up inside. Zidane sighed. At least she would know he was alright.

"Okay. I'll write her a letter explaining everything. Just make sure it gets there, alright?" he asked. At this, Flara nodded eagerly.

"I can get it there quickly. I have a friend with a very fast horse, it'll get there within the week!" she said cheerfully. Zidane smiled.

"Thank you, Flara. It means a lot to me," he said quietly. Garren smiled warmly.

"I understand. Now, come on Flara. We'll leave him to write his letter."

Two Months Later and 20 letters later

Zidane grinned inwardly as he poured the melted wax over the seal of the manila envelope. It was yet another letter to his beloved Dagger back in Alexandria. Zidane was bubbling with excitement at the thought of her actually reading something that he had touched. How he missed her! It pained him to think of the hurt he must of caused, but at least she now knew where he was and that he was safe. It was somewhat odd that she hadn't written him back yetbut it didn't really matter. There had to be some logical explanation, and when they were finally together again, she would tell him all about it. Until thenhe would just have to wonder.

Things had certainly been interesting in the past month or two. Though he missed his friends and family terribly, it was nice not to have to worry about being king for awhile. He could simply be Zidane again, the care-free fun-loving bandit. Besides, he liked his siblings, especially Garren. As the weeks had progressed, Garren had eventually shed his bland outershell and opened up to his brother. They two were close friends who trusted deeply in each other. Zidane's feelings towards Flara were a bit different, though. He liked her okayshe wasn't THAT badbut she was sobland. When she helped Zidane with his magic lessons, she rarely ever displayed any emotion, and if she did, the emotion was annoyance. And she was so fragile! Zidane grunted. If she was ever faced with a real battleZidane sighed. He couldn't even IMAGINE her in a real battle. She wasn't a bad personshe was just too bland for Zidane's rambunctious taste.

Zidane worked night and day on improving his Dreamwalker skills. He longed for the day he would be able to speak with his beloved Dagger, but until then he would have to practice. He wasn't there yet be any meansbut he was getting closer and closer every day. Soonsoon he would be able to be with her again. Zidane sighed as he gazed wistfully out the window. Did she miss him this much? Every second away from her felt like an eternityand it tore at his heart. How long would he have to go on like this? At least he could have some small comfort in knowing she was reading his letters.

"Flara, could you come in here for a minute?" Zidane called towards the closed door. Almost instantly there was a soft creaking sound as the face of a young woman appeared in the doorway

"Yes, Dreamwalker?" Flara asked quietly. Zidane held out the sealed letter.

"Will you deliver this for me?" he asked. Flara smiled warmly as she gently took the letter from his hand.

"This is for your queen?" she asked. Zidane nodded.

"Yeah. Make sure it gets there okay?" he said. Flara nodded.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure it gets there as soon as possible," she said, and with that walked quietly out of the door and into the night air.

~

The instant she was out of Zidane's sight, Flara's warm smile melted into a cold scowl. The Dreamwalker thought he could boss her around, did he? Well, he would be singing a different tune once she was threw with him. With one quick motion, Flara ripped the envelope in half. She snickered at the pieces of paper in her hand and, with a small burst of magic, set them aflame. She watched them burn with a strange curiosity until they were little more then ashes. Their amusement gone, Flara nonchalantly tossed them onto the ground. Soonvery soonshe would be doing that to him instead of a letter!

As Flara stood in the moonlight, she began to look around. Where was he? They had promised to meet when the sun went downbut the tall, muscular man wasn't anywhere in sight. Was he late? But General Tolin was never late

"Ah, Flara. There you are. I didn't see you come outside," came a familiar deep voice. Her ruby lips curled into a smile. So he WAS here, after all.

"I wasn't sure if you were coming or not, General," she said as she turned around to face the tall man. He crossed his arms.

"Enough with the pleasantries, Flara. Do you have it?" he asked bluntly. Flara grinned wickedly as she reached her hand into the pocket of her skirt. When it came out again, she was holding a small, glistening black box about the size of her hand. Tolin's eyes glittered.

"Excellent. Once we release the power of the magic within, Garnet's kingdom will fall in ruins!" he cried as he reached greedily for the box. Flara scowled and jerked it out of the man's grubby fingers.

"Don't be stupid! Have you forgotten what's in this box?" she snarled. Tolin's demeanor dropped a notch.

"It contains the touch of death," he said. Flara nodded.

"And whoever opens the box will be infected with the plague, too. Besides, if you opened it here, it would kill us, not Alexandria!" she said. Tolin grumbled.

"I have an entire army of idiots at my disposal. Who could I get to deliver the death?" he asked himself. Flara shrugged.

"Is there someone you need to get rid of? Someone who knows too much about something?" she asked. At this suggestion, Tolin's eyes lit up with the fervor of a new idea. And then, his lips curled in a wicked sneer, he spoke.

"Mouse."

Flara stared at him in disgust.

"You're trusting the fate of your plan in a soldier named Mouse? Dear spirits, protect us," she grumbled. Tolin scowled at her.

"Mouse may be an idiot, but he follows orders. Besides, he was the scout I took to Alexandria. I need him out of the way," he explained. Flara shrugged.

"Whatever you see as fit. Just don't mess up," she muttered as she dropped the ebony box into Tolin's open hands. He clasped the thin close to him as if he were a child holding a prized toy.

"FinallyI can beat Garnet and rule Alexandria. This is the touch of deathno one can cure it!" he cried. Flara raised an eyebrow.

"No one? I believe there is a cure, general. The power of the Dreamwalker acts as a counterweight to the magic; if he unleashes his full power, the plague will end," she said. Tolin grinned devilishly.

"Yesbut I'm trusting you to take care of HIM, if necessary. If he ever dreamwalksyou know what to do," he said, drawing a meaty finger across his neck. Flara snickered and nodded.

"It will be my pleasure," she sneered. Tolin, still holding the box, looked over at Flara with a suddenly firm look.

"Flaraabout your brother, Garren. He is either for us or against us; he is too strong to remain neutral. Have you gotten his consent to join us, yet?" he asked. At this, Flara bowed her head and began to twiddle her thumbs.

"Ithat isI haven't actually told him about our plans," she said quietly. Tolin glared at her.

"You haven't told him, yet?" he snarled. Flara shook her head solemnly.

"Hestill thinks I'm loyal to the Dreamwalker. He has no idea what's going on." Flara looked up at Tolin with stern eyes. "And I don't see why he needs to get dragged into this! It isn't about himit's about you, me, and the Dreamwalker. Garren is innocent; why can't we let him be?" she asked. Tolin shot Flara a firm look.

"Why? I'll tell you why! Garren has tremendous black magic, even better then yours! If he were an ally we would have no trouble cutting a big chunk out of Alexandria's army. But if he were an enemy, think of the damage he could cause! We need to know where he stands," he said firmly. Flara frowned.

"I'll tell him about it later," she said. Tolin sighed.

"Flara, I know he's your twin brother, and you've been through a lot together. But if he wants to help the Dreamwalker, you must do the job. You have to kill him if that happens," he said bluntly. Flara's eyes widened as a quick gasp escaped her lips.

"Kill him!? Is that really necessary?" she asked shakily. Tolin nodded.

"Can I trust you to get the job done?" he asked firmly. Flara stared at the dusty ground and nodded.

"YesI'll do it," she murmured. Tolin's face melted into a smiled as he patted her on the back.

"Good. Now, I have to go find Mouse. I'll see you soon," he said, and then slowly walked off into the dark woods. Once she was sure the general was gone, Flara broke into bitter sobs as she sank helplessly to the ground. Dear spirits, what had she gotten herself into!? All she had ever wanted was to help her twin brothershe loved him more then anything else in the world! But now she might be forced to kill him! Wellthere was still the chance he would side with her and Tolin! But this thought brought her little comfort, for deep in her heart she knew he would never agree to harming innocent people or the Dreamwalker. He wouldn't understand her reasons for helping Tolinhe wouldn't get it. Flara wiped a glistening tear from her cheek. If she helped Tolin conquer Alexandria, then the two of them could live in the palace together. They would be free of the pain the other sorkins broughtfree of their hideous pastsand they would be safe. Oh, behind those thick stone walls, no one would have hurt them again! All she had wanted was for the two of them to be together, foreverbut now! Flara let out a cry of anguish as she pounded her fist on the cold ground. Garren would never agree to joining them, never! And then she would have to kill him, the only person she had ever loved! Flara's eyes narrowed. This was all the Dreamwalker's fault! If he hadn't come and ruined their perfect duet, there would have been no reason for her to seek Tolin's aid! She would have her revengeand it would be oh so sweet! He would never get back to Alexandriaat least not before the plague had taken everyone he loved! He would feel the pain of losing his loved onesand that was a promise.

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I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! I've been really busy with finals and such. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter! What will the "touch of death" do to Alexandria? Will Zidane escape Flara's revenge? Find out in the chapter five!!!