Disclaimer: I don't own FF9. So please don't sue me. All you'll get is my sister's hamster.
Chapter 7-The Iifa Tree Journey, Part 2
Katrina's P.O.V
We arrived in the town of Conde Petie in the evening. We were quite tired now, having walked over 10 miles. The dwarfs didn't greet us at the gate. Strange. But I wasn't going to complain or anything. I checked with the innkeeper and collapsed onto the bed, like the others. The dwarfs must have been in bed or something because the place was nearly deserted. I closed my eyes, slowly falling asleep..
The next morning, I arose first, making sure that not to disturb anyone. The dwarfs were busy unlike last night. I walked around the town making sure that I was familiar with it. Finally I got to the exit. They were both guarded by twin dwarfs.
"Sorry, I can let ya' though." They both said.
"How am I supposed to get to the Iifa Tree?" I asked, a little bit annoyed at this point.
"You havta' get married."
"Uh..married?"
"Yes, ma'am." I turned away and walked back to the inn, slowly. This would be a problem. There was not enough boys to 'marry' them all. As I walked into the inn, everyone stared at me.
"Ok guys. We'll have a little problem getting out of here."
"What's the problem, Kat?" Zane asked while stretching himself out on the bed again.
"We'll have to get married."
"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled.
"But we do not have enough boys." Zinnia whined.
"I know. I have a plan though. Get enough rest while we're here. We leave tonight." Everyone nodded and stretched out on the bed as instructed. That night, I motioned for everyone to follow me over to where the weapon's shop was. Then I went ahead and checked for any guards along the way to the Mountain Path. There were none, so I waved my hand slightly to make the others come to me.
We had climbed up several vines up to the roots of the Iifa Tree. Soon after 2 hours, we arrived at the trunk. Cyrus was there in his brown cloak waiting for us. He smiled at me and the others warmly.
"Shall we go?" He asked calmly.
"Yeah. Lets." No sooner than we had started up the roots, a blizzard kicked up. We were pressed against the trunk from the blinding winds. I turned to Cyrus while brushing the hair out of my face.
"We cant risk losing the others in this storm!" I yelled over the noise of the wind.
"I know, but I cant think of anything right now!" He yelled back. I turned around to the others who were huddled together. Then I got a idea and took off my backpack. I opened it and pulled out a rope. This would be long enough for everyone, I thought. I motioned for Zane to come over first and tied the rope around his waist. Then I did the same with Alicia and the others. After that, I tied the rest of the rope around my waist and nodded to Cyrus. He walked forward slowly, so I and the rest of the group could keep up.
After a few short minutes, we came across a weird looking place near the branches. I couldn't quite figure out what it was so I asked Cyrus.
"What is that?"
"It's a place that was once sealed. Someone dangerous was once here."
"Who was sealed up here and when?" Cyrus walked up closer to the area and nearly stumbled over a partially fried skull. Zinnia and Alicia gasped suddenly.
"Whoever was here and freed this thing died a nasty death. The skull is nearly burned through."
"Who would have enough power to do this?"
"Good question." Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. That couldn't be, I thought.
"Cyrus, I have a feeling that used to be were Vanessa was sealed."
"Seriously?" I nodded solemnly.
Meanwhile, unknown to anyone, Vanessa stood watch over the Mountain Path right before the Iifa Tree exit. Just keep leading me to the crystal, she thought. Your playing out your own death, children. Just keep leading me. She giggled with glee at the thought of absolute power. She leaned forward beginning to fly off in the Iifa Tree's direction. She would intercept them when the time is right.
We stayed at the sealing point for a while, because of the nasty Magic Barrier ahead.
"Zinnia, Alicia. Do you think you can disable that barrier ahead?" asked Cyrus.
"Sure." They both piped up.
"Kat, go with them to make sure they don't get in trouble or incase Vanessa decides to drop in." Cyrus ordered. I nodded and motioned for them to follow me up the branches. When we reached the barrier, I stopped and unsheathed my Dragon's Hair spear from its sheathe on my back. I didn't sense anything, yet, but I wasn't going to let my guard down. Zinnia and Alicia kneeled down facing each other and joined hands. The spot where their horn was supposed to be, glowed a light pink. Then they began to pray in their hearts causing the barrier to break up a bit.
This continued on for about 5 minutes when all of a sudden the barrier broke. I'm not sure what it meant but Zinnia and Alicia did.
"Are you guys, ok?" I asked softly.
"Kat, we didn't break the barrier. Someone else did." Zinnia whispered. I could tell they were both afraid, but of what? It wasn't until I heard a evil chuckle that I realized who broke the barrier. I turned around slowly, only to see Trance Vanessa floating a few inches away from the branches. It was oblivious I wasn't the only one who saw her because Zane, Cyrus and Vivielo came running up the branches.
"Zane, Zinnia, Alicia. Go now! The crystal cant be far!" I yelled. They nodded and ran off ahead. Trance Vanessa only smirked. Cyrus unsheathed his Ragnarok sword and held it a few inches in front of his face.
"..Stupid fools. Your only delaying your death." Vanessa muttered.
"I will not let you destroy Gaia! Now give up!" I yelled.
"You don't get it. I am twice as powerful as you. I can kill you in one hi-"
"You stole that power, you witch!" Cyrus interrupted.
"Now I'm a witch. Ooh, lovely insults you have there. Let me enlighten you on your situation. You are on the branches of the Tree of Life about to be killed by me. Sad isn't it?" Cyrus didn't want to hear anymore. His sword trembled with the power of lightning (Shock) as he threw it a Vanessa. Vanessa rose her hand and caught it then threw it away in a different direction.
"Cyrus, were not going to get anywhere if she reflects magic away." I whispered. He nodded and ran down the branch. Trance Vanessa followed him surprisingly. She had forgotten all about me. Which was a good thing. I ran up the branches to where Zinnia, Alicia, and Zane were. Zinnia was looking around for it desperately. Alicia picked up what looked like a crystal.
"Alicia, let me see that." She handed it to me slowly. I examined it carefully. It was the crystal they talked about in legends.
"This is it, guys!" Zinnia and Zane came over quickly.
"So what do we do now?" they asked.
"Um..pray for Gaia to be restored and remove the mist. Hurry we don't have much time! Trance Vanessa is here!" They nodded and set off to praying again. Meanwhile, Cyrus wasn't doing too well. Vanessa had successfully wounded him using a Flare Star spell. He continued running down the branches despite his injury. Cyrus tripped over a small root and skidded down into the trunk area.
He couldn't pick himself back up fast enough, however. Vanessa grabbed by the collar and pulled him up. She was on the ground now, and basically a easy target.
"See, I told you. Only delaying your death. Now you shall die!" I rocketed through the air screaming, "Spear!" and landed from it looked like right on top of Vanessa. A flash of light sent me over the side of the trunk onto a lower platform. It knocked the air out of me easily. When the light cleared away, Vanessa wasn't there. However, Kuja was. He shook his head and stood up carefully. Cyrus looked over the side at me slowly.
"Where is she?" Kuja asked softly.
"Down there." Cyrus pointed downward at the platform.
"Where's Vanessa?" A figure landed onto the platform I was on. She smoothed her hair quickly, lips curled up into a snarl. She began to walk slowly over to my unconscious body. A red beam shot through the air and hit Vanessa's wrist. She winced in pain and looked up to see Kuja floating right above her, in his trance form.
"You cant win, Vanessa."
"I don't care. I will always live and exist in this world."
"We'll see about that." Kuja barely gave Vanessa a chance to protect herself from his Ultima attack. She was blown over the edge and down into the roots of the tree. I doubt she survived that. Really I do. Cyrus helped me up as Kuja floated up to where the others were. He nodded to them solemnly. The threat was over for now. We returned to Lindblum Grand Castle in just a few short hours. Zidane and the rest of our parents grabbed and hugged us.
"See, I knew you could do it," Zidane whispered in my ear as Freya, Sr. Fratley and I left for Bermecia.
Gaia had survived another crisis.
But it isn't over yet…….
Author's Note: Oh yes, there is a second part. This time the tables turn as Vanessa becomes an ally and Katrina becomes the enemy.
Chapter 7-The Iifa Tree Journey, Part 2
Katrina's P.O.V
We arrived in the town of Conde Petie in the evening. We were quite tired now, having walked over 10 miles. The dwarfs didn't greet us at the gate. Strange. But I wasn't going to complain or anything. I checked with the innkeeper and collapsed onto the bed, like the others. The dwarfs must have been in bed or something because the place was nearly deserted. I closed my eyes, slowly falling asleep..
The next morning, I arose first, making sure that not to disturb anyone. The dwarfs were busy unlike last night. I walked around the town making sure that I was familiar with it. Finally I got to the exit. They were both guarded by twin dwarfs.
"Sorry, I can let ya' though." They both said.
"How am I supposed to get to the Iifa Tree?" I asked, a little bit annoyed at this point.
"You havta' get married."
"Uh..married?"
"Yes, ma'am." I turned away and walked back to the inn, slowly. This would be a problem. There was not enough boys to 'marry' them all. As I walked into the inn, everyone stared at me.
"Ok guys. We'll have a little problem getting out of here."
"What's the problem, Kat?" Zane asked while stretching himself out on the bed again.
"We'll have to get married."
"WHAT?!" Everyone yelled.
"But we do not have enough boys." Zinnia whined.
"I know. I have a plan though. Get enough rest while we're here. We leave tonight." Everyone nodded and stretched out on the bed as instructed. That night, I motioned for everyone to follow me over to where the weapon's shop was. Then I went ahead and checked for any guards along the way to the Mountain Path. There were none, so I waved my hand slightly to make the others come to me.
We had climbed up several vines up to the roots of the Iifa Tree. Soon after 2 hours, we arrived at the trunk. Cyrus was there in his brown cloak waiting for us. He smiled at me and the others warmly.
"Shall we go?" He asked calmly.
"Yeah. Lets." No sooner than we had started up the roots, a blizzard kicked up. We were pressed against the trunk from the blinding winds. I turned to Cyrus while brushing the hair out of my face.
"We cant risk losing the others in this storm!" I yelled over the noise of the wind.
"I know, but I cant think of anything right now!" He yelled back. I turned around to the others who were huddled together. Then I got a idea and took off my backpack. I opened it and pulled out a rope. This would be long enough for everyone, I thought. I motioned for Zane to come over first and tied the rope around his waist. Then I did the same with Alicia and the others. After that, I tied the rest of the rope around my waist and nodded to Cyrus. He walked forward slowly, so I and the rest of the group could keep up.
After a few short minutes, we came across a weird looking place near the branches. I couldn't quite figure out what it was so I asked Cyrus.
"What is that?"
"It's a place that was once sealed. Someone dangerous was once here."
"Who was sealed up here and when?" Cyrus walked up closer to the area and nearly stumbled over a partially fried skull. Zinnia and Alicia gasped suddenly.
"Whoever was here and freed this thing died a nasty death. The skull is nearly burned through."
"Who would have enough power to do this?"
"Good question." Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. That couldn't be, I thought.
"Cyrus, I have a feeling that used to be were Vanessa was sealed."
"Seriously?" I nodded solemnly.
Meanwhile, unknown to anyone, Vanessa stood watch over the Mountain Path right before the Iifa Tree exit. Just keep leading me to the crystal, she thought. Your playing out your own death, children. Just keep leading me. She giggled with glee at the thought of absolute power. She leaned forward beginning to fly off in the Iifa Tree's direction. She would intercept them when the time is right.
We stayed at the sealing point for a while, because of the nasty Magic Barrier ahead.
"Zinnia, Alicia. Do you think you can disable that barrier ahead?" asked Cyrus.
"Sure." They both piped up.
"Kat, go with them to make sure they don't get in trouble or incase Vanessa decides to drop in." Cyrus ordered. I nodded and motioned for them to follow me up the branches. When we reached the barrier, I stopped and unsheathed my Dragon's Hair spear from its sheathe on my back. I didn't sense anything, yet, but I wasn't going to let my guard down. Zinnia and Alicia kneeled down facing each other and joined hands. The spot where their horn was supposed to be, glowed a light pink. Then they began to pray in their hearts causing the barrier to break up a bit.
This continued on for about 5 minutes when all of a sudden the barrier broke. I'm not sure what it meant but Zinnia and Alicia did.
"Are you guys, ok?" I asked softly.
"Kat, we didn't break the barrier. Someone else did." Zinnia whispered. I could tell they were both afraid, but of what? It wasn't until I heard a evil chuckle that I realized who broke the barrier. I turned around slowly, only to see Trance Vanessa floating a few inches away from the branches. It was oblivious I wasn't the only one who saw her because Zane, Cyrus and Vivielo came running up the branches.
"Zane, Zinnia, Alicia. Go now! The crystal cant be far!" I yelled. They nodded and ran off ahead. Trance Vanessa only smirked. Cyrus unsheathed his Ragnarok sword and held it a few inches in front of his face.
"..Stupid fools. Your only delaying your death." Vanessa muttered.
"I will not let you destroy Gaia! Now give up!" I yelled.
"You don't get it. I am twice as powerful as you. I can kill you in one hi-"
"You stole that power, you witch!" Cyrus interrupted.
"Now I'm a witch. Ooh, lovely insults you have there. Let me enlighten you on your situation. You are on the branches of the Tree of Life about to be killed by me. Sad isn't it?" Cyrus didn't want to hear anymore. His sword trembled with the power of lightning (Shock) as he threw it a Vanessa. Vanessa rose her hand and caught it then threw it away in a different direction.
"Cyrus, were not going to get anywhere if she reflects magic away." I whispered. He nodded and ran down the branch. Trance Vanessa followed him surprisingly. She had forgotten all about me. Which was a good thing. I ran up the branches to where Zinnia, Alicia, and Zane were. Zinnia was looking around for it desperately. Alicia picked up what looked like a crystal.
"Alicia, let me see that." She handed it to me slowly. I examined it carefully. It was the crystal they talked about in legends.
"This is it, guys!" Zinnia and Zane came over quickly.
"So what do we do now?" they asked.
"Um..pray for Gaia to be restored and remove the mist. Hurry we don't have much time! Trance Vanessa is here!" They nodded and set off to praying again. Meanwhile, Cyrus wasn't doing too well. Vanessa had successfully wounded him using a Flare Star spell. He continued running down the branches despite his injury. Cyrus tripped over a small root and skidded down into the trunk area.
He couldn't pick himself back up fast enough, however. Vanessa grabbed by the collar and pulled him up. She was on the ground now, and basically a easy target.
"See, I told you. Only delaying your death. Now you shall die!" I rocketed through the air screaming, "Spear!" and landed from it looked like right on top of Vanessa. A flash of light sent me over the side of the trunk onto a lower platform. It knocked the air out of me easily. When the light cleared away, Vanessa wasn't there. However, Kuja was. He shook his head and stood up carefully. Cyrus looked over the side at me slowly.
"Where is she?" Kuja asked softly.
"Down there." Cyrus pointed downward at the platform.
"Where's Vanessa?" A figure landed onto the platform I was on. She smoothed her hair quickly, lips curled up into a snarl. She began to walk slowly over to my unconscious body. A red beam shot through the air and hit Vanessa's wrist. She winced in pain and looked up to see Kuja floating right above her, in his trance form.
"You cant win, Vanessa."
"I don't care. I will always live and exist in this world."
"We'll see about that." Kuja barely gave Vanessa a chance to protect herself from his Ultima attack. She was blown over the edge and down into the roots of the tree. I doubt she survived that. Really I do. Cyrus helped me up as Kuja floated up to where the others were. He nodded to them solemnly. The threat was over for now. We returned to Lindblum Grand Castle in just a few short hours. Zidane and the rest of our parents grabbed and hugged us.
"See, I knew you could do it," Zidane whispered in my ear as Freya, Sr. Fratley and I left for Bermecia.
Gaia had survived another crisis.
But it isn't over yet…….
Author's Note: Oh yes, there is a second part. This time the tables turn as Vanessa becomes an ally and Katrina becomes the enemy.