Chapter Eight:

I should be writing this a lot faster now. Should. By the way, I know my take on the lines from the game are a little off...but if you think about chaos theory it kind of makes sense. ; Anyway, here we go.

"Can you show us some proof of your royal heritage?" the Elite guard asked Dagger. She produced her pendant.

"That jewel looks remarkably similar to the Falcon's Claw! Please wait here!" the Elite guard said, dashing off to get the Minister. Steiner looked threateningly at Zidane.

"This is all your fault! They wouldn't be doubting the Princess if she didn't have to keep company with a thief like you!" he accused. Zidane took it in stride.

"Chill, Rusty. We'll be fine."

Of course, Zidane's relaxed attitude just made Steiner even angrier, but Dagger quickly calmed him down with some wise words. Jason and Vivi just couldn't get over how huge this place was.

"It's even bigger than Alexandria Castle!" Vivi commented.

"Amazing," Jason said. He had been thinking about the concept of an airship recently, and he found that it was rather impossible. There simply wasn't enough surface area on the lift propellers to generate a hovering force. And yet he had seen many of them, so he knew it was possible, in this world anyway. This fact implied that the laws of physics were different here, Jason noted to himself. Before he could stray off onto the implications of this discovery, however, Minister Artania showed up.

"Princess Garnet! You've made it!" he exclaimed excitedly. The Princess did a bow before him.

"Hello, Minister Artania," she replied.

"Please come with me. The Regent has requested to see you," Artania ushered, heading to the lift. The group followed in silence, unable to think of anything worth saying, really. Even Jason was too distracted to tap into other people's thoughts. All the way up to the Regent's Chamber, he just followed along in a daze, unable to get his mind off of what the equation for lift was in this world. Any of the occasional thoughts that popped up concerning Meg he quickly squelched. He assured himself that it wasn't anything to worry about.

He may have been right, at least until this fateful afternoon in the Village of Dali. Megan was just minding her business, ensuring that production was going as it should, when he showed up. She never even noticed that he had approached; as he walked through the town, he received odd stares from everyone, but this was nothing new to him. He entered the underground facility nonchalantly and practically ran right into Meg, who was just turning a corner to go into the egg-making room. They both stopped before that happened, though, and took a few steps back. Meg was immediately frightened as she was unable to peer into the man's head, and the only way that was possible was if he possessed power far greater than hers. What he found odd was that this girl seemed to be wandering around idly down here.

"What is your name, girl?" the man asked. Meg decided it might be better not to get in a fight with this man, and so she played along.

"Megan," she replied. The man's lips curled into a patronizing smile.

"Well Megan, don't you think you should be home? I have work to do down here," he said. She was not deterred.

"That's okay, so do I," she said, smiling politely. The man's look changed to contempt.

"Really? And what might that be?" he wondered. Megan decided that it was better to be honest with this man; there was an air about him that suggested a certain quality, that he might have eyes for power and domination. She might be able to form an alliance with him, and later dispose of him when she no longer needed him.

"I need to make sure no one messes up with the Mages so that I can have a proper army when I go to Treno," she explained. The man was completely shaken.

"Excuse me?" Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that a girl would be disturbing the Black Mage army!

"You heard me. You seem like a man with a lust for power, and that makes us alike," she explained. "Right?" she wondered. The man was having problems deciding whether or not this girl was serious. But it didn't take long for him to decide that it didn't matter.

"Perhaps. So what do you want, Megan?" he asked.

"I want to conquer Gaia," she stated with fierce determination. Well, that was only the first step, but it would do for the purpose of explanation. After that, she could return to Earth. Then, she thought, I will bring you back, brother. The man smiled in a way that was almost genuine, but Meg saw through it. He was going to try and take her in and exploit her, but it would happen the other way around.

"Well, Megan, perhaps we should sit down and have a chat," the man suggested. They didn't sit down, but they did chat. A deadly alliance was being formed, and the peaceful villagers above were completely unaware of the evil being plotted below their feet.

"OGLOP!" Steiner shouted, punching the disgusting thing right back into the chair from whence it came.

"I demand that you remove that creature from the throne immediately and present the Regent!" Steiner complained, hoping up and down in his agitated frog way.

"Please, Captain Steiner, settle down. What you see before you is none other then the Regent!" Minister Artania assured him. Jason took a quick look and saw that indeed, the Oglop was the Regent.

"It has to be him; that mustache is unmistakable!" Dagger declared. Zidane looked on amused while Vivi just stood watching, silent. Jason kept glancing around, but still paid attention to the interaction.

"Indeed, it is I, gwok, Regent Cid," the Oglop declared from his perch on the throne. "Of course, you must be wondering about my peculiar form. You see-"

"Allow me to explain," the Minister cut in. "Someone snuck in at night and attacked the Regent, then made off with his new airship," he explained. Zidane nodded knowledgeably.

"Whoever did it had to have been highly skilled, like me," he observed in usual manner of self-assertiveness. Steiner growled and shook his armored fist at him.

"For all we know it was you!" he shouted.

"Please!" Dagger said, agitated. "Uncle Cid, I came here because I'm worried about my Mother..."

"Ah, understandable. But surely it can wait until tomorrow. You must all be tired after your trip."

There were murmurs of agreement from the group.

"Come then, it is time for lunch," the Minister said. With that, the group filed out to the banquet hall. Zidane was quick to leave, however; he couldn't handle the food at the palace. Jason decided that he would probably feel the same way, and could really use some walking around time. So, he asked Zidane to show him around town. And of course, the first place Zidane took him was Bobo's bar.

"Today's special is Soup du Silence. Not too bad if I do say so myself. Shall we?" Zidane asked. Jason nodded.

"One thing before we go in, Jason. No psychic stuff, okay? It might start a panic or something," Zidane told him. Jason agreed that it was probably a good idea, and with that, they entered. Bobo noticed them immediately and turned to greet them.

"Long time no see, Zidane. Who's your friend?" Bobo asked.

"This is Jason. He may seem strange, but you'll get to like him quick enough," Zidane jested.

"Excuse me, you're standing in everyone's way," said a waitress named Lillian. They both moved aside to let her pass, then Zidane nudged Jason in the shoulder and whispered to him.

"Watch this, I'm gonna show you how to get a girl," he said. Jason took a seat at the edge of the bar and watched.

"Excuse me, but have you ever been on an airship?" Zidane asked Lillian. She turned to him and smiled.

"No, I haven't, why?" she wondered.

"Oh, you have to! Lindblum is really a great site from up in the air. How about I take you on an airship?" he proposed.

"Really? That sounds great!" she squealed. But before Zidane could respond, a woman at the counter expressed some distaste.

"Hey tail-boy, you're disturbing the other customers," she sneered from under a rubber hat. Zidane took an aggressive stance against her.

"Hey, you've got a tail too, rat face!" he shouted. She stood up and looked to him.

"That's it. I'm gonna pound you," she said.

"Take it outside, Zidane," Bobo urged. Jason was enthralled; Lillian seemed to have lost all interest in Zidane, but in the back of his mind Zidane was still thinking about her. At the same time, he was facing down this woman.

"Do you even remember my name?" she asked. Zidane thought for a moment.

"Betty?"

"No."

"Helga?"

"No!"

Zidane was losing confidence. "Oh, I remember. You used to live near by me. Man, you sure have gotten big, Christine!"

"Wrong again, idiot!" she declared.

"Hey, come on, I never forget a pretty face. How's it going, Freya?" he wondered. He took a seat between her and Jason, and she too sat down.

"I've been training to participate in the Festival of the Hunt. But it would seem that you've been up to some things as well; who is the person with you?" she wondered, casting a glance at Jason, who was starting to feel agitation at everyone asking Zidane for the introductions.

"Jason, this is Freya. Freya, this is Jason. We picked him up on our way back from Alexandria, and I'm just showing him around town," he explained.

"I see," Freya said. Jason already felt more comfortable around her; he had now had enough time to peer into her mind a little, and understood that she was a warrior. In essence, the only thing she lived for was improving her skills in combat, or at least that was what it seemed. He was comfortable with this because, at least back on Earth, improving his mind was basically the only thing he lived for. While it wasn't a combat skill there, now that he was on Gaia it seemed to have that same purpose. So in a way, the two of them were quite similar.

"Nice to meet you," Jason offered. Freya gave him a curt nod.

"So, Freya, ever find your boyfriend?" Zidane wondered.

"Alas, no. I have found no trace of him," she lamented. Now Jason had a better understanding. After losing her life's love, she had nothing else but this fighting lifestyle.

"Bummer."

"Will you be participating in the festival?" she asked Zidane. Both he and Jason responded simultaneously.

"Naw," Zidane said.

"Yes," Jason said. Freya cast a curious glance at Jason.

"I do not mean to be rude, Jason, but how do you stand a chance? You seem to barely have enough muscle to walk, let alone battle monsters," she commented. Jason smiled and tapped his forehead. He remembered that Zidane didn't want him talking about this though, so instead of telling her out loud, he spoke to her telepathically.

"I'm a powerful psychic. My mind is a very deadly thing," he said. She sat there with a confused expression, and Zidane looked at Jason with slow realization.

"Jason... you're a strange one," he said with a chuckle.

"Jason?" Freya asked.

"Yes?" he responded out loud.

"I see... well, good luck to you in the Hunt, Jason. It would seem you stand a fair chance," she said.

"Thank you," he said with a smile.

That, for the most part, was their conversation for the day. Zidane showed Jason more of the town before suggesting that they grab a room at the hotel and turn in for the night. Jason was rather tired, actually, because his body was not used to so much walking around all at once. He would have to see if he could develop enough telekinesis to float, because his legs probably wouldn't be able to take the continent crossing he was sure to encounter later on. So he and Zidane found a room at the hotel, but they stayed up a while longer. Zidane had things on his mind.

"So, what do you think of Lindblum?" he wondered. They both were sitting on their beds, and Jason gave a sigh.

"It's even bigger than I imagine it would be. I feel like it may be impossible for me to find what I'm looking for here," he said. Zidane smirked.

"Hey now, that isn't true. You can find girls everywhere in Lindblum!" he encouraged. Jason laughed a little.

"Unlike you, Zidane, I don't always have girls on my mind. While it's probably true that I could use some female companionship, what I'm really looking for is some way to get home...but since I know that's impossible anyway, I guess what I'd want to find is some place where I could put my mind to use," Jason explained.

"You should see if you can talk with the Regent. I bet he's got all sorts of inventions that he could use a good mind for. Anyway... I was wondering, Jason. What is your home like? I've been kind of afraid to ask, but I figure that there's no better time than now," Zidane said. Jason closed his eyes and leaned back onto his bed.

"Well... it's very, very different from Alexandria, Lindblum and Dali," he began.

"So maybe it's more like Treno?" Zidane ventured. Jason thought for a moment, borrowing some imagery from Zidane's mind.

"Not really. First of all, there are no castles anywhere on my continent. At least, none that I know of. If there are any, no one rules from them," Jason said.

"Well, where do the King and Queen rule from, then?" Zidane wondered.

"We don't have any monarchy," Jason said.

"Geez! Well, that's enough to freak me out. I don't dare ask where your home is, because I know you're going to tell me something even more unbelievable than your description of it was," Zidane responded. Jason chuckled softly.

"Probably. I wouldn't worry about it," Jason said. Zidane nodded, lying down on his bed.

"Good idea. You know, you're a good kid, Jason, even if you are a little messed up," he joked. Jason turned his head to him and frowned.

"Kid? You're only two years older than I am," Jason insisted.

"Whatever. Well... I guess that only leaves one question. What kind of girl are you looking for?" he wondered.

"Why would you want to know that?" Jason responded. He didn't look into Zidane's head for the answer. It didn't even occur to him to do so; lengthy conversations were not something he often participated in. Besides which, it was more socially acceptable.

"Because you really need one, you know? I'll have a guilty conscience if I don't set you up with at least a potential girlfriend," he explained. Jason smirked, and looked up at the ceiling.

"I don't know... she should be pretty, of course, but that's not the most important thing. She should be smart...definitely. I don't really know anything else; I've never thought about having a girlfriend before. I never really figured I needed one," he explained.

"Trust me Jason, your body thinks differently," Zidane said. Jason remembered when he had kissed Megan. It had been rather nice... but he didn't need something like that distracting him.

"Can we figure it out tomorrow? I'm pretty tired," Jason said.

"Sure. Sweet dreams, Jason," Zidane said, crawling under the blanket. Jason did the same, not bothering to respond. Slowly, he slipped into an empty slumber, devoid of dreams. He never had dreams.

Many other things had happened that day, but the most notable of them was in Dali. The facility was now producing even more powerful black mages, and Megan had officially formed an alliance with the strange man. He hadn't told her much of his strategy, but enough that he and Megan could work effectively together. He had learned quite a great deal about her, and the reverse was also true. She was a powerful psychic, and could easily influence a normal person to do her will. She had a few other abilities as well, but she was keeping them secret for now. Megan had learned that the man possessed very powerful magic, and could probably blow her to pieces without much effort. She also learned that he was the perpetrator of the black mage production, and rode on a Silver Dragon. And of course, she learned his name.

Kuja. She liked the sound of it; it seemed to sing in her ear. It sounded almost otherworldly, even for this strange planet of Gaia. It was a name that commanded respect, and she was willing to give that to him, for now. But soon, when his guard was down, she would eliminate him. It would not do to have someone breathing down her shoulder when the time came for her to return to Earth. Unless she could get him under her control... but she wouldn't count on it. With him on her side, no matter how much they might not trust each other, it would make conquering this planet much easier. Once that was done, she would have no further need for him.

Hmm... interesting, isn't it? What are Kuja's revised plans now that he and Megan are allied? Will Jason ever get a girl? How will he do in the Festival of the Hunt? So many questions... that's what we have the next chapters for! Bye.