Winter's King
Part I: The Rehearsal
Winter had come to the Mist Continent. Some people despised winter, for it reminded them of the cool mist that used to fill the air. Others felt of winter as relaxation from all the hot weather. Amarant was in Treno, even though he used to be a wanted man there. He owed Steiner, who had said Amarant was helpful in defeating the world's enemies. For that, Amarant decided to hang around there for a bit.
"Winter, it's the only season I can stand for more than a week." Amarant said. "
"Funny, they call you the Flaming Amarant, yet you prefer the winter." the innkeeper at Treno said. "Well, I could do without the cold. It really gets on the nerves."
"Why do people complain about cold weather? When you're cold, it's easy to get warm. Sit by a fire, put a blanket around. But when it's hot, there's not much you can do to cool off. I'll take the cold, not the heat, the snow, not the sun." Amarant stated.
"You sure don't like to be wrong."
"Because I'm not." Amarant left the inn and decided to play cards down at the tournament. While he went there, he saw Vivi, who was already playing. "Vivi? What are you doing here, it's 11:56pm?"
"I um....was board. All my kids went to sleep, and I have nothing to do."
"Ok then. I challenge you after you finish playing this lady." Vivi continued playing and won yet another match. "Ok, let's play." Amarant pulled out his deck and played Vivi.
"Mr. Amarant. I think I saw Zidane around here, do you think he's here for cards?"
"You saw Zidane? Did you say anything to him?" Amarant said a little annoyed at the thought of Zidane being around.
"No, I wasn't sure if it was, I only saw the person for a second." Vivi said. They continued playing cards, and Amarant had lost his Boko card to Vivi, a card Vivi had his eye on for quite sometime. "Thank you, Mr. Amarant. I'm gonna get some sleep." Vivi left, and Amarant proceded back to the inn. As he did, he spotted Zidane walking to the Auction House.
"Hmmm. He's probably up to no good. After all, that's how he got me into trouble." Amarant followed Zidane to the Auction House, and peered in. Inside, was Blank, and Amarant could hear what was going on.
"Zidane, you took forever! You're lucky I'm not impatient like the boss." Blank said.
"Sorry, but I promised the maid at the inn I'd give her some sleeping weed. It's not my style to break a promise to a girl." Zidane explained.
"Let's just do this and go back to the theater ship." Blank said as the went out of Amarant's vision.
"They're probably plotting something again. Ever since Zidane went back to Tauntalus, he's been doing this kind of stuff again." Amarant went the Auction House and found Zidane and Blank in the back. Zidane spotted Amarant right away.
"Hey, red head, what's up?" Zidane said.
"Enough with the cheap talk, what do you think you're doing?"
"Funny, last time I checked, you weren't a guard anymore. If you have to know, Blank and I are rehearsing our parts for the play at Alexandria. It's called Winter's King and it's sure to be a hit....especially with Dagger, heh heh!"
"How much longer are you gonna call her Dagger?" Blank asked. "She's the queen, she doesn't need a fake name anymore!"
"She doesn't seem to mind." Zidane stated. "Any, red head, the play is about a king who everyone adores. Wersol, a jealous man who served the king, that's who Blank will be playing, has been plotting against the king and wishes to assasinate him in order to become king. He's attached to the king's daughter, and doesn't want to see her upset. I'll be playing Sarco, the ex-knight who hears about Wersol's plans. Sarco tells his plans to a mage, Jauot , who summons the King of Winter, who'll be played by Marcus. We were hoping Vivi would play the mage, but he gets stage fright, so we're still looking. Cinna was willing, but we'd need another costume. Hey, how about you red head!?"
"Sorry, I don't act." Amarant told.
"Really, you wouldn't have many lines. It's only about 2 minutes." Blank added.
"If it's that short....fine, whatever." Amarant said.
"Great, ok. You can rehearse with all of us tomorrow in Ruby's mini-theater. Be there at about 7am. The play starts at 8pm." Zidane added. Amarant seemed like it was a torture to him to be in a play, but in a way, he was thrilled to be able to be in a play about something he could relate to....winter. Midnight had occured, and Treno was becoming busier, filled with noise and crooks. A thief went up to Amarant and attemped to steal, but with his monk skills, Amarant picked the thief off the ground.
"Trying something? I'll let it go this time." Amarant put him down. "Here's 5 gil, buy a drink and scram." This got the attention of some of the nobles. A few even applauded.
"Good show. You gave him quite a scare." A noble woman said. Amarant was pretty tired, so he checked in with the innkeeper and he told him to wake him at 5:30am.
"But I won't be up then!" The innkeeper yelled.
"Then have the maid do it. Get me up by then." Amarant complained. He went to his bed and fell asleep fast. Dawn had broken, and Amarant was awakened by Marcy, the maid.
"Thanks. At least someone does their job around here." Amarant told her. He got out of Treno and headed for Alexandria. He saw Vivi on his way there as well.
"Mr. Amarant! Um....are you going to Alexandria?" Vivi asked.
"That I am, I have a small role in the play." Amarant.
"Oh, that winter one. Zidane asked me, but I'd mess up." Vivi said.
"Well, I've got to hurry. All I need in my day is hearing Zidane complaing on how damn late I was." Amarant said. Vivi trotted along as Amarant walked. The area was silent ever since the mist monsters were gone. The air was cold, but Amarant didn't mind, and well, Vivi was pretty much covered from anything.
"Doesn't that suit get hot in the summer, Vivi?" Amarant.
"Well....when you're constantly casting fire, it really isn't. Doesn't your hair get hot.....sorry, I....didn't mean it that way." Vivi said.
"Of course it does, why do you think I'm the Flaming Amarant? This hair burns." The two walked until they found Zidane who had two gold chocobos with him.
"Vivi? You're hear? I would have brought another chocobo if I knew." Zidane said.
"Chocobo! That's what I forgot about!" Vivi yelled. He pulled out a Choco Whistle, and out popped three more gold chocobo. Vivi got on one, was Zidane and Amarant rode the two Zidane brought. It was much faster this way, for they flew to Alexandria. In the town, they fought themselves through the crowd to get to Ruby's mini-theater. They started to rehearse, but they told Vivi to shop while they did. It was time for Zidane and Blank to act.
"I know of your plan, just forget about it! Long live King Dovo!" Zidane said.
"I don't need interference! En garde!" Blank said. They pulled out swords and fought, Baku watched to see if it would please the crowd. Blank then proceded to "cut " Zidane's arm.
"Now what? You're powerless! I must exterminate you, for you know too much." Blank said.
"My feet can take me where I need to be. Farewell, Wersol!" Zidane ran to the scene exit.
"No matter anyway. At dawn tomorrow, all will be done, and I shall be the new king!" Wersol says. "But I'd better keep my eyes on that one. He may against me! I'll go see what he's up to."
"Psst! Amarant, you're on!" Baku whispered. Amarant walked over with his lines on paper and Zidane proceded.
"My good friend Jaout! I need a favor. You must summon the king of Winter to stop Wersol from carrying out his plan! Can you go through with it, or is it far beyond your power!" Sarco says. Baku signaled to Amarant.
"Of course I can. But it doesn't come without it's risks. If the king of Winter is summoned, it can alter the season, prolong Winter, and shorten Summer." Jaout says as Wersol hides and hears of this. Zidane and Amarant exit.
"So that's what they have in store for me. Well, I'll make sure that doesn't happen." Wersol says. Ruby enters.
"Good day to ye, Wersol." Princess Erin says.
"P.....princess? It's an honor, miss, and honor to be blessed by your appearence." Wersol says and bows down.
"What would you be up to, kind sir?"
"J....just scouting around...."
"Alright then. See you another time, Sir Wersol." Ruby exits.
"She calls me a kind sir, but if she knew what I was up to, I would lose that quality. What am I to do? Exterminate the king, become the king, but lose the respect of the one I love." Blank exits. Scene switches to a forest where Zidane and Amarant prepare.
"Winds of the North, South, East, and West, blow the clouds past the sun! Bring in the cool mist of Winter to call upon the great Winter King!" Jaout says as the Winter King appears (after the stage magic, of course). Marcus enters as Amarant falls to the ground.
"Jaout! Good friend, are you alright?" Sacro wonders.
"He is in a coma. It takes great strength to summon me, now your friend will be in a coma until Winter ends. He will have a memory block of this moment." The Winter King says.
"Rest well, Jaout. Spring will revive you, and you will not remember this." Sarco says. Baku interrupts.
"Perfect guys. We'll make 'em beg for more! We've already rehearsed the other scenes, we'll be fine. Let's all get some breakfast. What's on the menu, Ruby?" Baku asked.
"We're havin' the Alexandrian Pick Me Up. Two eggs, any way ya like, toast, bacon, sausage, and fresh well water." Ruby said.
"Hear that, guys! A meal fit for....well, me! Heh heh, ha!" Baku laughed. They all left for breakfast, while something shocking was in town. Unbelivable as it is, it was Ultros! This wasn't even in his time period, and he was around town. People didn't seem to notice, for some water dwellers came to see the show. But Ultros noticed a sign that said: Come see Winter's King. A tale of magical experiences. At 8pm tonight!
"Hmmm.....I already tried to foil an opera, but what about a play. Let's see if I still have it. At 8pm, they'll get a show they won't forget! Mwahahaha!" Ultros said. What will Ultros do this time?
Part I: The Rehearsal
Winter had come to the Mist Continent. Some people despised winter, for it reminded them of the cool mist that used to fill the air. Others felt of winter as relaxation from all the hot weather. Amarant was in Treno, even though he used to be a wanted man there. He owed Steiner, who had said Amarant was helpful in defeating the world's enemies. For that, Amarant decided to hang around there for a bit.
"Winter, it's the only season I can stand for more than a week." Amarant said. "
"Funny, they call you the Flaming Amarant, yet you prefer the winter." the innkeeper at Treno said. "Well, I could do without the cold. It really gets on the nerves."
"Why do people complain about cold weather? When you're cold, it's easy to get warm. Sit by a fire, put a blanket around. But when it's hot, there's not much you can do to cool off. I'll take the cold, not the heat, the snow, not the sun." Amarant stated.
"You sure don't like to be wrong."
"Because I'm not." Amarant left the inn and decided to play cards down at the tournament. While he went there, he saw Vivi, who was already playing. "Vivi? What are you doing here, it's 11:56pm?"
"I um....was board. All my kids went to sleep, and I have nothing to do."
"Ok then. I challenge you after you finish playing this lady." Vivi continued playing and won yet another match. "Ok, let's play." Amarant pulled out his deck and played Vivi.
"Mr. Amarant. I think I saw Zidane around here, do you think he's here for cards?"
"You saw Zidane? Did you say anything to him?" Amarant said a little annoyed at the thought of Zidane being around.
"No, I wasn't sure if it was, I only saw the person for a second." Vivi said. They continued playing cards, and Amarant had lost his Boko card to Vivi, a card Vivi had his eye on for quite sometime. "Thank you, Mr. Amarant. I'm gonna get some sleep." Vivi left, and Amarant proceded back to the inn. As he did, he spotted Zidane walking to the Auction House.
"Hmmm. He's probably up to no good. After all, that's how he got me into trouble." Amarant followed Zidane to the Auction House, and peered in. Inside, was Blank, and Amarant could hear what was going on.
"Zidane, you took forever! You're lucky I'm not impatient like the boss." Blank said.
"Sorry, but I promised the maid at the inn I'd give her some sleeping weed. It's not my style to break a promise to a girl." Zidane explained.
"Let's just do this and go back to the theater ship." Blank said as the went out of Amarant's vision.
"They're probably plotting something again. Ever since Zidane went back to Tauntalus, he's been doing this kind of stuff again." Amarant went the Auction House and found Zidane and Blank in the back. Zidane spotted Amarant right away.
"Hey, red head, what's up?" Zidane said.
"Enough with the cheap talk, what do you think you're doing?"
"Funny, last time I checked, you weren't a guard anymore. If you have to know, Blank and I are rehearsing our parts for the play at Alexandria. It's called Winter's King and it's sure to be a hit....especially with Dagger, heh heh!"
"How much longer are you gonna call her Dagger?" Blank asked. "She's the queen, she doesn't need a fake name anymore!"
"She doesn't seem to mind." Zidane stated. "Any, red head, the play is about a king who everyone adores. Wersol, a jealous man who served the king, that's who Blank will be playing, has been plotting against the king and wishes to assasinate him in order to become king. He's attached to the king's daughter, and doesn't want to see her upset. I'll be playing Sarco, the ex-knight who hears about Wersol's plans. Sarco tells his plans to a mage, Jauot , who summons the King of Winter, who'll be played by Marcus. We were hoping Vivi would play the mage, but he gets stage fright, so we're still looking. Cinna was willing, but we'd need another costume. Hey, how about you red head!?"
"Sorry, I don't act." Amarant told.
"Really, you wouldn't have many lines. It's only about 2 minutes." Blank added.
"If it's that short....fine, whatever." Amarant said.
"Great, ok. You can rehearse with all of us tomorrow in Ruby's mini-theater. Be there at about 7am. The play starts at 8pm." Zidane added. Amarant seemed like it was a torture to him to be in a play, but in a way, he was thrilled to be able to be in a play about something he could relate to....winter. Midnight had occured, and Treno was becoming busier, filled with noise and crooks. A thief went up to Amarant and attemped to steal, but with his monk skills, Amarant picked the thief off the ground.
"Trying something? I'll let it go this time." Amarant put him down. "Here's 5 gil, buy a drink and scram." This got the attention of some of the nobles. A few even applauded.
"Good show. You gave him quite a scare." A noble woman said. Amarant was pretty tired, so he checked in with the innkeeper and he told him to wake him at 5:30am.
"But I won't be up then!" The innkeeper yelled.
"Then have the maid do it. Get me up by then." Amarant complained. He went to his bed and fell asleep fast. Dawn had broken, and Amarant was awakened by Marcy, the maid.
"Thanks. At least someone does their job around here." Amarant told her. He got out of Treno and headed for Alexandria. He saw Vivi on his way there as well.
"Mr. Amarant! Um....are you going to Alexandria?" Vivi asked.
"That I am, I have a small role in the play." Amarant.
"Oh, that winter one. Zidane asked me, but I'd mess up." Vivi said.
"Well, I've got to hurry. All I need in my day is hearing Zidane complaing on how damn late I was." Amarant said. Vivi trotted along as Amarant walked. The area was silent ever since the mist monsters were gone. The air was cold, but Amarant didn't mind, and well, Vivi was pretty much covered from anything.
"Doesn't that suit get hot in the summer, Vivi?" Amarant.
"Well....when you're constantly casting fire, it really isn't. Doesn't your hair get hot.....sorry, I....didn't mean it that way." Vivi said.
"Of course it does, why do you think I'm the Flaming Amarant? This hair burns." The two walked until they found Zidane who had two gold chocobos with him.
"Vivi? You're hear? I would have brought another chocobo if I knew." Zidane said.
"Chocobo! That's what I forgot about!" Vivi yelled. He pulled out a Choco Whistle, and out popped three more gold chocobo. Vivi got on one, was Zidane and Amarant rode the two Zidane brought. It was much faster this way, for they flew to Alexandria. In the town, they fought themselves through the crowd to get to Ruby's mini-theater. They started to rehearse, but they told Vivi to shop while they did. It was time for Zidane and Blank to act.
"I know of your plan, just forget about it! Long live King Dovo!" Zidane said.
"I don't need interference! En garde!" Blank said. They pulled out swords and fought, Baku watched to see if it would please the crowd. Blank then proceded to "cut " Zidane's arm.
"Now what? You're powerless! I must exterminate you, for you know too much." Blank said.
"My feet can take me where I need to be. Farewell, Wersol!" Zidane ran to the scene exit.
"No matter anyway. At dawn tomorrow, all will be done, and I shall be the new king!" Wersol says. "But I'd better keep my eyes on that one. He may against me! I'll go see what he's up to."
"Psst! Amarant, you're on!" Baku whispered. Amarant walked over with his lines on paper and Zidane proceded.
"My good friend Jaout! I need a favor. You must summon the king of Winter to stop Wersol from carrying out his plan! Can you go through with it, or is it far beyond your power!" Sarco says. Baku signaled to Amarant.
"Of course I can. But it doesn't come without it's risks. If the king of Winter is summoned, it can alter the season, prolong Winter, and shorten Summer." Jaout says as Wersol hides and hears of this. Zidane and Amarant exit.
"So that's what they have in store for me. Well, I'll make sure that doesn't happen." Wersol says. Ruby enters.
"Good day to ye, Wersol." Princess Erin says.
"P.....princess? It's an honor, miss, and honor to be blessed by your appearence." Wersol says and bows down.
"What would you be up to, kind sir?"
"J....just scouting around...."
"Alright then. See you another time, Sir Wersol." Ruby exits.
"She calls me a kind sir, but if she knew what I was up to, I would lose that quality. What am I to do? Exterminate the king, become the king, but lose the respect of the one I love." Blank exits. Scene switches to a forest where Zidane and Amarant prepare.
"Winds of the North, South, East, and West, blow the clouds past the sun! Bring in the cool mist of Winter to call upon the great Winter King!" Jaout says as the Winter King appears (after the stage magic, of course). Marcus enters as Amarant falls to the ground.
"Jaout! Good friend, are you alright?" Sacro wonders.
"He is in a coma. It takes great strength to summon me, now your friend will be in a coma until Winter ends. He will have a memory block of this moment." The Winter King says.
"Rest well, Jaout. Spring will revive you, and you will not remember this." Sarco says. Baku interrupts.
"Perfect guys. We'll make 'em beg for more! We've already rehearsed the other scenes, we'll be fine. Let's all get some breakfast. What's on the menu, Ruby?" Baku asked.
"We're havin' the Alexandrian Pick Me Up. Two eggs, any way ya like, toast, bacon, sausage, and fresh well water." Ruby said.
"Hear that, guys! A meal fit for....well, me! Heh heh, ha!" Baku laughed. They all left for breakfast, while something shocking was in town. Unbelivable as it is, it was Ultros! This wasn't even in his time period, and he was around town. People didn't seem to notice, for some water dwellers came to see the show. But Ultros noticed a sign that said: Come see Winter's King. A tale of magical experiences. At 8pm tonight!
"Hmmm.....I already tried to foil an opera, but what about a play. Let's see if I still have it. At 8pm, they'll get a show they won't forget! Mwahahaha!" Ultros said. What will Ultros do this time?