---------Chapter II A Hero's Awakening-----

Zidane opened his eyes to the drab familiarity of the straw roof in the clinic hut. He heard the distant buzzing of cicadas and the sounds of birds playing in the warm afternoon.

And I'm stuck here in this damn cast, he thought gruffly shifting his position slightly, the pain that had accompanied his joyous trip out of the Iifa Tree merely a ghost.

His bones had healed, the scratches probably gone; all he had to do was wait for Blank to come and take him back to Lindblum to ready for 'The Plan'.

Zidane shut his eyes and pictured his beloved Dagger in his mind; her sweet, angelic face framed by her lovely raven black hair seemed to be the only thing that had kept him from just dying in the Iifa Tree along with his brother, whom he had tried to help only for his efforts to be in vain.

Zidane had hoped to see Vivi; but Mikoto had informed him that Vivi was unable to visit or move far from his bed at that matter. Zidane hoped that Blank would hurry up so he could get to Vivi before he 'stopped'; but simple will wouldn't hurry his old friend up.

As if almost on cue he heard a voice come from the front door of the clinic.

"Yo, Rags, time to go," came Blank's sarcastic, streetwise voice.

Zidane opened his eyes and looked at the patchwork man.

"Look who's talking Stitches," he quriped at the Tantalus.

Blank shook his head at the weak remark.

"Dude that's the best you got?" He replied walking forward.

"Hey, just cuz I'm in a body cast doesn't mean that I can't kick your butt," Zidane said swinging his foot towards his comrade. Blank reached and grabbed one of the ropes that supported Zidane's legs and pulled it so that Zidane couldn't move his foot anymore.

"Actually, yes it does," Blank grinned

"Damn you," Zidane moaned leaning back in the bed.

"So, when am I gettin' the hell outta this cast?" Zidane asked staring back at the stupid ceiling he had stared at for the past he didn't know how long.

"Actually now. Mikoto's just getting the cast cutters," Blank said leaning against the wall.

"I am here," Mikoto announced from the door stepping in the door with three little Viviettes trailing behind.

They set to work cutting away the plaster that had restricted Zidane's movements for so long.

In a short few minutes they were done. Zidane stretched his stiff limbs and scratched his butt ebbing the painful itch that had been bugging him.

"Alright I wanna go see Vivi." Zidane said stepping out into the sunshine.

"Uh, um, Mister Zidane, father might not respond to you he has barely moved since Queen Dagger's visit last month." came Vivo's little voice from behind him.

The panic of Vivi barely moving over powered Zidane's need to correct the little boy as he sprinted towards Vivi's little hut.

When he got to the little home he ran to Vivi's side.

"Hey buddy I'm here. It's me Zidane," Zidane whispered to the little mage.

"...Zidane..?" came a whisper from the little fella as he opened his glowing yellow eyes to meet Zidane's.

"...I've been saving my energy so...I could see you....one last time,"

Zidane felt his eyes get misty as the little mage slowly placed a letter on the top of the bed.

"That is for....you and...the others.…Please read it together....and tell Dagger and the others.....I love them all......."

Zidane felt over come with sadness as Vivi drew in a final breath and let it out his chest didn't rise again.

Zidane sat there for a moment staring at his dear friend.

He then stood and pocketed the letter.

"Goodbye my friend," he whispered walking out the door.

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Author's note: *sniff sniff* seemed to be a popular response to this chapter this is one of the best in this story but it's not the only good one I hope you all stick with me!!!