Chapter 5: The Search Begins

Chapter 5: Uh oh! Spaghettio!

            Why are we here? Miranda kept asking herself. What does all this mean? What's going to happen? Am I who I thought I was or someone different?

            "Miranda? Mirrrrrrraaaaaandaaaaa!"

            Miranda snapped out off her reverie and saw Eiko standing in front of her face full of concern.

            "You alright?" Eiko asked.

            Miranda smiled at Eiko. "Yea. I'm just thinkin' about all of this stuff."

            Kristin picked up a book. "So what else is new?"

            Kuja walked up to her and looked over her shoulder. "What are you looking at, Milady?"

            Miranda and Chris stared at him incredulously. "Milady???!!!" they both cried.

            Kristin glared at them then smiled warmly at Kuja. "This play. 'I Want to be Your Canary' by Lord Avon. I hear it's a good play."

            Kuja nodded. "A classic. I have memorized it by heart." He recited a few lines as Kristin listened entranced.

            Miranda and Chris turned away stifling their laughter. "Milady???? Kristin a lady??????? Impossible!!" Miranda snickered.

            Chris shook with silent laughter. "That Kuja is a talker that's for sure. I still don't see what she sees in him."

            Miranda smiled. "I gave up trying ages ago. I think it's because of his power and, like you say, his talk. She didn't like the way he dressed in the game though, that's for sure."

            Zidane came up between them and slung his arms around their shoulders. "Who did? We kept telling him to change and if it wasn't your Kristin friend, he probably wouldn't have done it sooner." He smiled slyly. "Though I'd be careful if I were her. He could easily sweep her off her feet."

            Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? What do you think of your brother?"

            Zidane leaned against a table and shrugged. "Hm, after the Iifa Tree incident, I'd say a perfectionist, a fancy talker, though nice, gentlemanly, polite, mannerly…"

            "In other words a fancy pants guy that girls swoon over?" Chris said.

            Zidane smiled. "Perfect! Hehe, you guys know your stuff don't ya?"

            Miranda shrugged. "I dunno. I'm the quiet, loner type."

            "Hm, you don't seem to be alone a lot, being that Chris here is always next to you."

            Miranda blushed, walked up the stairs, and cleared her throat. "Well, uh, I'm going to go out some. This library is getting kinda stuffy."

            Eiko bounded up to her. "Can Vivi and I come?"

            "Sure thing, kiddo."

            Vivi came up to them. "Yay! We can show you all the great places around the castle!"

            Eiko disappeared and came back pulling a reluctant Chris with her. "He looked kinda bored so I thought he would you like to come."

            Miranda glanced back at the table and saw Zidane looking away and whistling. She shook her head and turned back to the group. "Well lets get goin'! Times a wastin'!" 

            "You're starting to talk like Ruby," Vivi said as he walked in between Miranda and Chris.

             "I am, am I?" Miranda said absently. "Well, I could start talking like Kuja, but I won't."

            Eiko sighed with relief. "Good, 'cause I can't stand the way he talks!"

            Miranda chuckled. "Come here, wanna piggy back ride?"

            Eiko eyes got big. "Really?"

            "Sure thing, kiddo."

            Eiko got on Miranda's back and gave her a kick. "Don't call me kiddo or I'll kick you harder!"

            "That hurt, you little beast," Miranda said with mock annoyance. "Alright, time for this horse to run away!"

            "What's a hor-whoa!!" Eiko yelled.

            Miranda had dashed off down the hall, nearly unseating the unsuspecting Eiko. Chris placed Vivi on his back and winked at him. "Well, we can't leave two ladies off on their own can we?"

            "Y-you won't let me fall w-will you?" Vivi asked clinging tightly to Chris's neck.

            "If you stop choking me I won't!" Chris said gasping.

            "Whoops…sorry," Vivi apologized as he let go.

            "S'alright, kiddo. Hang on!" he yelled as he dashed off after Miranda, who had already disappeared down the stairs. Eiko could still be heard screaming throughout the whole palace, including the library.

            Freya smiled. "Looks like they're having fun."

            "Kids…make more noise than needed," Amarant said leaning against a bookshelf.

            "Well no one asked for your opinion," Sir Fratley said. (didn't know he was here did ya, huh? ^^ Heh, kinda forgot about him actually….)

            "Whatever," Amarant said and walked out.

            Freya shook her head. "He is an interesting character, that Amarant."

            "Hmph. Don't even know why he's even here," Steiner said arrogantly.

            "Steiner," Beatrix said, "is something bothering you? You've been more moody than usual lately."

            Steiner looked at her indignantly. "More moody than usual? Are you implying that I'm a moody person, Beatrix? An angry, arrogant, irritable man?"

            "In a word, yes," Zidane answered.

            Steiner shook his fist at him, his armor clanking. "You have no respect, you rogue! How dare you say I'm a person such as that!"

            Zidane raised an eyebrow. "I think you've been hangin' around Kuja too much. You're startin' to talk like him."

            Steiner was fuming. He opened and closed his mouth as if to speak but nothing came out.

            Beatrix raised her hands and looked at the ceiling. "Why me?"

            Mikoto just watched blankly. (forgot about her….)

            Doctor Tot and Garnet were puzzling over some books on a far table. Kuja and Kristin had joined them.

            "A sword forged by a spirit of fire?" Doctor Tot asked aloud. "Do they mean by one with a fierce spirit or something that can control fire?"

            "Like Bahamut or Ifrit?" Kristin asked.

            "Exactly. But I doubt eidolons made swords."

            "What about Hades, that synthesis in Memoria?" Garnet asked.

            "No, I don't think so. He's a synthesizer, not a blacksmith," Professor Tot said shaking his head sadly. "This is quite a puzzle."

            "Do we really need to be thinking of who made the sword?" Kuja asked. "Why not figure out where it is hidden?"

            "Yes, that would be a better idea," Kristin readily agreed.

            "I'm afraid I'm not that good with these kind of riddles," Doctor Tot said sadly.

            "If only Miranda was here," Kristin said. "She might have thought something up."

            Garnet suddenly swayed to the side and was about to collapse when Zidane caught her. "Garnet?! What's wrong?!" Zidane cried.

            Everyone rushed to them and Professor Tot shooed them off some. "Let her have some space."

            Garnet's eyes flickered open and saw Zidane's worried face looking down at her. She smiled weakly and tried to stand. She staggered and Zidane caught her again.

            "You'd better stay off your feet," Zidane suggested.

            "I'm alright, really," Garnet kept saying.

            Doctor Tot shook his head. "Now, young lady, I think you should go straight to bed. Zidane, will you take her?"

            "Yea, sure thing, Doc," he said as Garnet hopped on his back. "Ready?"

            "Yea…"

            "Steiner, Beatrix, come with us please."

            They followed them as everyone else looked on worriedly.

            "She's got the curse."

            Everyone turned around and looked at Mikoto, who had spoken.

            "What was that, Mikoto?" Kuja asked.

            "It's really quite obvious," she said as she picked up the book on the family heritage. "Remember, the book says that Democlese had vowed to destroy his brother's family line. If I'm not mistaken, Queen Garnet is a descendent of Alexander V."

            "Then Garnet is Democlese's target!" Kristin said, wide eyed with horror. "We've got to get Miranda, Chris, Eiko, and Vivi back! They've got to know!"

            "Fratley and I will take care of that," Freya said. "You four go up and aid Garnet. We'll be back soon." And with that, they jumped up the stairs and ran down the hallway as the others quickly headed to Garnet's chamber.

            Outside, Miranda noticed the sky darkening. "Hm, is it supposed to rain today? It was nice and sunny earlier."

            Eiko looked up and held out a hand. "Well, it hasn't started raining yet. But Mikoto said there was a chance of some rain."

            Chris and Vivi had caught up with them and looked up. Vivi looked at them. "Are we still going to go out?" A loud thunder followed his words, making Vivi jump up three feet.

            "Does that answer your question?" Eiko said.

            A moment later, Freya and Fratley jumped down from the roof and landed in front of them. "We've got to go back. Garnet is deathly ill."

            Miranda looked at her shocked. "What? But she was fine just earlier!"

            "Just go in, please. We will tell you on the way," Fratley said gravely.

            They hurried back inside and ran to Garnet's chamber. Chris carried Vivi knowing he would stumble. They burst through the door, their worst fears confirmed. Nurses surrounded the bed, while the Royal Doctor treated Garnet. She was coughing and shivering. She had turned pale and drifted in and out of consciousness. Zidane held her hand holding back the tears threatening to fall.

            Zidane felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Miranda staring at Garnet. A second look made his eyes widen. What he saw in her eyes was something he had never even thought of to see in a person like herself. Chris and Kristin also saw the look in their friend's eyes. They were burning with hatred and anger, tinting to a redish color.

            "Well, it is now clear that we must find the sword as soon as possible," she said, her voice calm and firm. "No doubt it is the work of Democlese." She turned to Chris and Kristin, her eyes back to normal. "I know not of what it is to be suspected of you, my friends. But, we will work together to defeat him, along with our new allies," she said waving to the other FF9 characters.

            "Then I suggest you start tomorrow at dawn," Doctor Tot said. "I think you will need to start by the Evil Forest. It said that the sword is located by the forest of evil. There is only one forest of evil, and that's the Evil Forest. The rest I do not know."

            Miranda nodded to Doctor Tot and looked at the others. She turned her head back to Garnet when she heard her talk.

            "May you find the sword, Miranda. And Kristin," she coughed, then turned her head to Kristin. "Miranda has told me of how you wanted to be a summoner." She smiled weakly. "You can use my rod and gems. They are in that chest behind you."

            Kristin turned around and opened the chest. She slowly took out the fine rod, feeling the magic within it. She saw where the gems could be placed and placed them in the appropriate slots. She nodded at Garnet, who smiled.

            "Eiko, I hope you will help her learn her new abilities."

            Eiko gulped, knowing she had an important job. "Sure thing."

            Garnet closed her eyes and slept. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Doctor Tot got up and shooed them out.

            "Lets let Garnet have some rest." He looked at Zidane, who was still sitting on the bed stroking Garnet's hair. "You may stay if you like, Zidane."

            "Thank you," he said not looking up. "Can you call Chris back in here?"

            Doctor Tot did as he was asked and Chris quietly walked up to Zidane. Zidane looked at him and gave a small smile. "Looks like I'm going to stay here and keep Garnet company. You'll have to lead the group."

            Chris looked at him astonished. "Me? The leader?"

            "What you don't think your good enough?" He gave a small laugh and walked to another chest. He opened it and took out his Ultima Weapon. He handed it to Chris. "You can use this on your journey. I'm sure you can handle it?"

            Chris took it and was amazed at how light it was. "I got a question for you…where do you put this when you're not battling?"

            Zidane smiled mysteriously. "Can't tell you that."

            "Well how do you expect me to carry this big thing? It's taller than me!" He held it standing straight up. It was at least three feet taller.

            "Well, it can split into two like this." Zidane took the weapon and pulled it apart at the middle. "Not that hard. Now, it's only four feet long each. Do you need a scabbard or something?"

            "It would come in handy."

            "Hm…" he rummaged through the chest and pulled out a big tangle of leather straps. "Lets see now…slip this over here…buckle this strap…under here…voila! The sheaths are behind you crissed crossed to place each of the blades. You put it in blade first so you can grab the pole parts."

            Chris looked dumbfounded at the contraption. "How will I ever get out of this??"

            Zidane waved a hand. "Easy. I had taken it apart thinking I wouldn't need it. Just unbuckle this strap here," he pointed, "and it'll slip off."

            Chris tried and sure enough it did. He buckled it back on and shook hands with Zidane. "Thanks. I hope I bring it back unscratched."

            "No problem. Just be careful with it and that the blades are connected firmly. You should hear a click. And you know about the magic stuff I should think."

            "Yea…I think…well, I guess I'd better get going. Got a long day ahead of us."

            Zidane walked him to the door. "You got that right. If you need any help, just contact the Tantalus Brothers in Lindblum."

            Chris saluted. "Aye, aye!" He turned and marched out to where everyone awaited him downstairs.

            Zidane shook his head and closed the door. He sat next to Garnet and held her hand looking at the rain still falling outside the window. I hope they defeat him in time.

           

                       

Author's Note: Aha! The plot thickens! Well, actually it is the main plot so it, er, couldn't really thicken, but anyway…so how are you liking it? Sheesh this is so hard! I forgot what the thingy to hold the two pieces of the Ultima Weapon was called (I don't think it's a scabbard) so I gave no definite name. Now that I think about, it still could be troublesome to carry that thing…o well! Don't hurt me! Well, lets see what will happen in Chapter 6! And keep reviewing!