Chapter 27: Birds (what a great title .; actually I couldn't think of one o.o)

            "This isn't looking good," Zidane sighed as he closed another book. "I'm finding stuff about Systania, but nothing on the location."
            Garnet closed a book next to him. "Same here."

            "The only think I got was that it was in another dimension," Vivi said sighing.

            Everyone jumped up from there places in the library in Lindblum and crowded around him.

            "What did you say?" Chris asked.

            "Um…it was in another dimension? Then a sigh?"

            It had been two days since the incident and Chris was allowed to help them search for the whereabouts of Systania at the library in the castle. They had been searching for five solid hours without finding a single clue. Until now.

            "Another dimension…" Fratley repeated. "Well…it seemed that they had gone through some kind of portal…maybe it was a dimensional gateway?"
            "It has to be! How else could they have done it?" Mikoto exclaimed. "We have to find another location that could possibly serve as a gate."

            "What about the Iifa Tree?" Kuja suggested. "If it was a link to Terra, I'm sure it could be a link to another dimension."

            "Yeah…but then how are we going to make a gateway?" Kristin pointed out. "It might provide the source of power or whatever, but I don't think it could just magically take us there."
            "I think we need to talk to Doctor Tot about this," Freya sighed. "I'm getting a headache on just thinking how we could construct something like that."

            "That settles it then," Eiko said. "We're going to Treno!"

            "I could provide transportation," Regent Cid offered.

            "But dear…you put all the airships in for maintenance…"

            "Doh!" (I like that word .)

            "No problemo!" Chris said. "Why don't we just use the chocobos? They can fly."

            Zidane snapped his fingers. "Why didn't I think of that?"
            "'Cause you're too slow," Mikoto said.

            He yanked her tail. "Too slow, eh?"
            Mikoto slammed a one hundred thousand page book on his tail. "Too stupid I should say."

            He stuck her tail into an electric socket. "Is that a shock for you?"

            Mikoto glared at him. "Why you little…"

            Zidane stuck out his tongue. "Don't pick on your big brother now!"

            Kuja whacked them both on the head with a thick, hard back book. "Quit it you two, you're making fools of yourselves."

            Mikoto and Zidane exchanged glances. They suddenly lunged at him, Zidane pinning him down, Mikoto slamming waffle iron on his tail.

            Kristin sighed. "The Three Stooges, here live in Lindblum…"

            "Should we stop this?" Garnet whispered to Fratley.

            He grinned. "This is actually getting good."

            "Fratley! If they hurt themselves, then we're no better off!" Freya yelled whacking on the head with her spear.

            "Please lets not start another fight," Garnet sighed. She cast Stop on the trio and they immediately froze, Zidane in mid-air from being thrown by Mikoto, Mikoto about to bite Kuja's tail, and Kuja was reaching out to grab Zidane's tail.

            Everyone stared at them. "Man…I really wish I had a camera now," Chris said breaking out laughing.

            "I DO!! I HAVE ONE!!" Regent Cid yelled as he took out the weirdest looking camera that Kristin and Chris had ever seen. He snapped the picture and the print came out from the back. After a few moments, the image of the three siblings appeared. "I'll make copies!!!"

            Everyone fell over laughing.

            "Is anyone going to unfreeze us?" Zidane said with his teeth clenched together. "Wait…maybe that wouldn't be wise…" (he speaketh the truth .)

            "I knew I shouldn't have turned off my auto-reflect," Kuja managed to say.

            "Mere's mair min my mouth," Mikoto mumbled.

            Everyone laughed even harder.

            Miranda stared out the window. Renee had shown her all the secret passages in case she saw Tristan ahead of time and had to hide. She had stayed in her room for the rest of the time. Renee had offered for Miranda to go with her and Drake on a shopping a trip, but she said she'd rather stay out of anyone's notice. Renee had shrugged and promised to find her something cool.

            Miranda pushed open the window and soon found the little blue bird from the garden perch on her window sill. She smiled and gently stroked its head. "Well what are you doing here? I wonder if you have a name…"

            The little bird chirped and cocked its head at her. It tilted its head back and started to sing.

            "You have such a beautiful voice…Renee had said you were a her…" Miranda sat there a moment thoughtfully. "I got it! How about Melody?" (same name as Garnet's chocobo but who cares? . I ran out of ideas I'm sorry!!! v.v)

            The bird looked at her. She hopped onto her shoulder and started to sing again.

            Miranda smiled. "I take that as a yes." She gently stroked Melody's head.

            "You do have this interesting way with animals."

            Miranda turned around, unsettling Melody who flew back onto the sill. Altea was leaning against the doorway grinning.

            "Do you ever knock?" Miranda said glaring at her. "And what are you doing here?

            "Drake allows us to come in whenever we want," she said smirking. "You must be Miranda. It was a pleasure holding that dagger against your neck."

            "You take a pleasure in doing that?!"

            Altea looked around the room. "It does get a tad life threatening…"

            "A tad?!?!"

            "Relax…I had the back of the dagger to your neck, not the actual blade. Tristan would kill me for sure if I did that. By the way, I'm Altea, his sister…unfortunately."

            "Well, Altea, give this message to your brother: stay away from me! Shouldn't be too hard for you, now, will it?"

            Altea grinned. "Right, I'll give it to him."

            "You know, on second though…maybe I shouldn't trust you on that. You'd probably twist it around."

            "Dangit, am I THAT predictable?!"

            Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Obviously…"

            Altea took out one of her daggers and twirled it around. "You know, it would be so heart breaking if my poor brother found out that you hated him…" She thought for a second. "Take that back, it would be very deserving."

            Miranda laughed.

            Altea gave her a quizzical look. "What's so funny…?"

            "Nothing…it was just something that I would say…do you work for him or something?"

            Altea sat on the edge of the dresser. "No…I just like helping him because there isn't anything else to do. You're lucky you know," she said glancing at Miranda.

            Miranda blinked. "Huh? How?"

            "Oh come on. Don't be so dense! You have two guys who are madly in love with you, one who will willingly risk his life to save you, and you have such a charming personality that just makes your beauty stand even more out, and if you went out, all the guys would just go head over heels just to talk to you!"

            "…What? No no no no! I am NOT that type of person!! I-I can't be!!" She paused for a moment and looked at her. "And why are you telling me this?"

            Altea sighed. "I have no idea!!! It's just that I just can't seem to hold a grudge around you! There's nothing about you to throw an insult at! GAH!!"

            Miranda just stood there astonished. "Well…that's interesting to know…"

            "Well…I kinda have to go…I was just curious on what kind of person you were like…seeing what's making my brother so loony." She rolled her eyes. She walked toward the door and stopped in the doorway. "Oh…watch out for my brother…he might do some, er, things…"

            Miranda groaned. "Thanks for the warning I think. Though I don't think I wanted to know that…"

            Altea laughed, surprising Miranda. "I haven't laughed in a while…well I guess I'll be seeing you then." She closed the door then leaned her back against it sighing. What am I to do…? She's such a nice person…I couldn't possibly… "Argh!!" She walked out of the castle frustrated.

            Miranda watched Altea leave from her window. She called out and waved, surprised at herself an also that Altea responded with a smile. Why did I just wave to one of the enemy…? Melody had reappeared after Altea had left and Miranda stroked her head. Heh…maybe Altea is right…maybe I do have this nice personality to all people…

            "Miraaaanda!!!" Renee sang as she burst through her door.

            "Do you people ever knock?!" Miranda said laughing as she turned around.

            "Sorry…I hope you weren't bored all day."

            "Oh no…Melody here kept me company and Altea had stopped by."

            Renee blinked. "Melody?"

            "Oh, that's the little blue bird from the garden." Miranda cupped her hands and Melody hopped on chirping. Miranda showed her to Renee.

            "Oh, you have her a name! She does sing beautifully…that's a great name you picked out…do you think she'd mind if I pet her?" she asked hesitantly.

            "I don't think she'd mind. Go ahead," Miranda said smiling.

            Renee gently stroked Melody's head. "I think she likes me!"

            Miranda smiled. "Looks like you have another friend. What do you know about Altea."

            Renee thought for a minute. "Well, she's Tristan's sister…she's great at knife throwing and working with daggers…she can be aggressive but cool…that's about it."

            "Ok..." She released Melody back outside, only to have her come flying back in and perching on top of the dresser. "Well, looks like I have a room mate, haha."

            "Heh, looks like it. I think Drake has a bird cage if you need it."

            "Er…I don't want Melody in a bird a cage…it wouldn't be right since she's been outside most her life…"

            "Always thinking about others first," Renee said smiling. "Oh, oh! I got you some new clothes and stuff!"

            "Hopefully no dresses?"

            "Er…well…"

            Miranda narrowed her eyes. "Renee…?"

            Renee laughed nervously. "Er, well, um, there's this party thing…"

            "I'M NOT GOING!"

            Renee jumped. "But, but, it's the biggest event of the year!! You have to be there!!"

            "I said I'm not going and I mean it. I can't go…not after…"

            Renee covered her mouth. "Oh I'm such a ditz I forgot about that! I'm sorry Miranda!"

            Miranda flung herself onto Renee, tears streaking down her face. "I just can't stand it anymore!! I miss them so much! I miss Chris so much! And now I can't see any hope of them finding me since this is a totally different world, and I might never see my home or family again…oh Renee…"

            Renee blinked in surprise then hugged her tight. "Don't worry Miranda…I know you'll see your friends and family again. And I know that you'll be reunited with Chris again. I got it!"

            Miranda looked up. "What?"

            "Why don't you see the head hancho of this world?! I forgot his name, but he should know everything!! I'm sure that he can help you!"

            Miranda blinked. "You…you really think so?"

            "Absotively posilutely," she said grinning. "I'll even come along and help!"

            Miranda hugged her again. "Thank you so much Renee…how will I ever pay you back for all the trouble I must be causing you?"

            "You already did when we first met…you're my friend, and friends help each other, right?"

            Miranda smiled. "Right."

            "I'll talk to Drake. The dude's palace isn't really that far. Just like a three hour hike or a one hour ride with chocobos."

            "Thanks again, Renee…"

            Renee grinned. "Anytime! Whoo! I get to go out and see the king…er…emperor…er…whatever he is!"

            Miranda laughed and dried her eyes. "Well, I'm going to freshen myself up a bit…why don't you go ahead and ask Drake?"

            "Alrighty! See you in a minute!" She took off through the doors and hightailed it to Drake's study.

            "Drake, Drake, Drake, Drake, Draaaaaaake!" she said as she burst through the doors.

            He looked up. "What do you need now?"

            "Um…er…" Renee hesitated a bit. "Is it okay if Miranda and I go to see the head person of Systania?" She crossed her fingers behind her back.

            Drake looked up thinking. "Well…"

            "Please, please, please, pleeeeaaaassseee?!?! She really needs to see him! He maybe be able to help her find her way back home."

            Drake smiled. "Can I come along?"

            "Yes, yes, yes, yes!!" She said jumping. "So can we?!"

            "Hm…well I do have to do some business there…oh ok, you can come along, too. We'll be leaving Wednesday, two days before the party. That's…the day after tomorrow."

            "YES YES YES YES!!!!!" She whooped with joy, gave him a big hug, then ran out back to Miranda's room skipping down the hallway.

            Drake shook his head. "Kids…"

            "We're going Miranda!" she yelled as she burst through the door.

            "We are?!" Miranda exclaimed jumping up from sitting on the bed. "Alright!!!" She grabbed Renee and danced around with her. I might be able to find answers to all my questions! "Something still puzzles me…"

            "What?"

            "Who is Arianna!?!?"

            Renee snapped her fingers. "I remember! It has something to do with the head hancho dude…I forgot the rest," she sighed. "But don't worry, only the people in castle called you Arianna. Actually…I don't think anyone else knows that you're even here."

            "Well that's good enough for me," Miranda sat plopping back down onto her bed. "The less people know me, the better I say. So when are we leaving?"

            "The day after tomorrow, Wednesday. Er…that's two days before the party…"      

            "…who's holding it?"

            "The king is. Some celebration of some kind."

            "Ah I see…are you going?"

            "Me? No…I'll stay here with you," she said grinning.

            Miranda smiled. "Thanks, Renee…"

            "Poor Rocky…I think he knows that Miranda's gone…" Chris said stroking the sad looking chocobo's head.

            "If he didn't, he does now," Zidane said as he carried Choco's tack. "Are you going to be riding Joey?"

            Chris stood there stroking Rocky's head. "…No, not this time. I think I'll be taking Rocky."

            Zidane looked at him surprised. "You sure about that?" Zidane asked hesitantly. "I mean, Miranda's been the only one who's been able to ride him without incident."

            Chris patted Rocky's neck and turned to get his gear. "No, I think I should take Rocky. We both lost something we loved. We're going to bring her back together."

            "Kweh!!" Rocky nodded in agreement.

            Zidane smiled. "Well then, lets saddle 'em up and move 'em out!"

            Everyone was soon ready to travel to Treno. Regent Cid and Hilda waved them off as they started walking out of the gates. Rocky was behaving surprisingly well for Chris, even a bit excited.

            "Ok, the manager told me that these chocobos can do anything," Freya said. "So they can swim, climb, and fly. They're just not black…"

            "That's good enough for us," Kristin said. "Though…I've never really flew on a chocobo before…"

            "It's not that hard," Kuja smiled at her. "Though I do prefer my silver dragons to a chocobo."

            "Ready guys?" Zidane asked. "We're just going to fly over there. So give them a running start off the ledge, then do an about face and follow me!"

            "O-off the l-ledge?" Vivi asked. "Y-you sure that B-bobby C-corwin can f-fly?" he asked Eiko nervously.

            "Pooositive. He aced his flying test," Eiko reassured him. "Come on!"

            Everyone followed Zidane's lead and soon they were flying high in the air. They soon crossed over the mountains and Zidane could see Treno's lights. When they were about a mile away, they landed and continue going at a run.

            "Boy that was fast," Chris said running next to Kristin.

            "Yeah no kidding! It's like having your own personal airplane," she said while patting her chocobo's neck.

            They walked through Treno's gates and headed toward the Observatory Tower. Everyone tied their chocobos to the hitch post and entered through the gate. They climbed the spiraling stair case and found Doctor Tot studying some books at his desk.

            "Hey, Doc! We need your help," Zidane said making him jump.

            He straightened his glasses. "So you need my services?" he said a little huffily. He then blinked and looked at the group. "There's one missing…"

            "…Yeah…that's what we're here for…Miranda's been kidnapped," Chris said looking away.

            "Oh my goodness!" Tot exclaimed. "This is a predicament! Come in and tell me everything." (I got tired of typing his full title -_-;;)

            The group commenced to tell everything that had happened, including the research and Vivi's findings.

            "Hm…dimensional gateway…hm, hm, hm…" He browsed around his bookshelves. "I thought I saw something about that…but that was a while ago…"

            "Do you remember what is was called? We can help," Eiko offered.

            "Hm…Time and Space: Can You Travel Through Them? I think."

            "Right! Lets go everybody," Zidane said as the group split off to search for the book.

            Chris was the most determined of all to find it. We have to find that book…it just might lead me back to Miranda… He touched the crystal hanging around his neck. I hope you're okay…

Author's Note: Zzz…Zzz…*someone hits me on the head and I snap awake* I'M AWAKE! I'M AWAKE! Uh…er…oh yea! Will they find out how to create the dimensional gateway? Will Miranda get her questions answered from the mysterious king, emperor, whatever he is? I myself don't know what I should call him . The ruler!!! O.o that's universal! . well see you in the next chapter! And review o_o