The Rise of Terra
Fire Angel
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yeah, yeah, I know. Bad Fire Angel, bad. I haven't written any more for ages, and
you're probably all going 'write more, dammit!' (if there's anyone still reading this fanfic,
it's been like a year since I started it I think… if not more). I've been a bit discouraged
because I lost all of my notes and story plans (when someone stole and destroyed the disk I kept
em on and I hadn't made a backup for six months - now I backup with EVERY damn save), and I've
been busy playing Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 2 AND Resident Evil 4, so I haven't really
thought about writing… well, until recently when I had to write something for an English
assignment and went… 'yes! Writing! This is something I like to do! Why have I not been doing
this enjoyable thing?!'… somehow I think work is taking its toll on me. Then I looked at my
fanfic wishlist (stuff I would love to write about) and went 'holy cow! (actually there were more
expletives involved, but I try to keep these author's notes PG-rated at least)… If I want to get
all of these done eventually, I am going to either have to a) get my butt into gear and write
them or b) somehow fit all of these ideas into a fanfic entitled 'the ideas of Fire Angel that
she just couldn't be bothered shaping into a story… use at your own free will!'. And they're
good ideas, I didn't want to do it! So shoot me! Actually, don't. I'll NEVER get this wishlist
finished with a bullet through my brain. But honestly, I have around… let's see (am looking at
wishlist now and counting ideas…)… … …twenty-three ideas?! Aa… Megami… -sama. And to think that I
am also working on TWO webpages, and have just gotten my life into gear by starting an exercise
program. Between school, homework, music practice, work, my exercise regime, writing, designing
my webpage AND playing video games I am going to have no societal value (as if I had any to begin
with anyway, but THAT is beside the point, my friends). Wow, I think I need to write more. Look
how much I've got to say! Eiiiiggh… my life is getting very disturbing. PS: Parental units are
insisting that I keep my pigsty of a room tidy. More time - out of the window!! Oh yeah, and I
have to do some sort of reading, too! What kind of fanfic author (or any kind of AUTHOR, full
stop) doesn't read any other texts? Ai ai ai, minna, I think my life is going to be very strange
from hereon in. Any solutions (or come to think of it, any comments for this long-awaited [I'm
sure] part of this story) go to the usual place (in answer to your questions: no, it hasn't
changed and yes, I'm boring): rinoa_heartilly86@hotmail.com :ob or you could just e-mail me and
whinge about this extremely long author's note (I'll just tell you to bugger off, but it's the
thought that counts, I s'pose). And I'm not even going to tell you what this chapter is about
save that Dagger's real name IS Sarah (it's revealed in the game… so is her mother's name, but I
can't remember it, so she's Dagger's mother still for all I care) but I'll leave surprises for
you this time. Anywayz, r&r (read and review, not rest and relaxation!), e-mail me and just
generally enjoy this fanfiction. I think I'll go to sleep now, this author's note has tired me so
much (it's almost a whole page long, dearie me). Luv Fire Angel, the very tired soul but also the
proud owner (and winner) of Final Fantasy X (which compensates for tired, methinks), and the
owner of all other FFs from IV-IX! Cool, huh? Catch yaz all laterz. xxx ooo
Fire Angel :ob
…zzz…
The Rise of Terra
Part 6: Garnet's Sacrifice
CHAPTER 15
"Mages of the world, we beg leave to address you."
Everyone who heard the voice looked up. A female face loomed in the sky. She was transparent -
the stars could be seen through her. She smiled, somewhat sadly, as her image shifted slightly to
the side, and a blonde man joined her.
If the people had not known who she was, they knew when they saw the young man - she was Lady
Beatrix of Queen Garnet's famous female army, and he was the queen's lover and the world's
saviour - Zidane Tribal. Even those who were not mages listened intently as the Genome and the
young warrior made their address.
"You may already well know that Necron and his army of Terran creatures have been attacking
Alexandria," the image of Zidane said quietly. "If the lights in the night sky have not already
told you of our battle, I would be greatly surprised."
"We are losing the battle," Beatrix continued. Her voice was sad and broken. "We have killed
Necron, but we have lost thousands of loyal soldiers, and, more recently, our queen."
The world was stunned into a shocked silence. Garnet had been a fair and brave queen, loved by
everyone the world over. She had not only ruled her own country but also acted as an ambassador,
passing from country to country and bridging gaps that Brahne had forced when she had been queen.
Somewhere, softly, someone began to sob. And the world started to cry, too.
"Necron warned us before his death that collision between Terra and Gaia is inevitable," Zidane
said. When Beatrix had told of Garnet's death, tears had welled in the Genome's eyes, and as he
spoke, they trickled down his cheeks. He was unashamed. He had nothing to hide. He had loved his
Dagger and the world knew it. They cried with him. "We have two hours… actually… it's closer to
an hour and forty minutes… before the worlds collide."
"We are not going to tell you to go out and live your last moments to the fullest," Beatrix said.
"We are not going to die. We are going to save Gaia, and we are going to live. We will do this…
together."
"And even if we do lose our lives… we will have lost them for a greater cause. We will die an
honourable death, just like the soldiers and civilians that gave their lives to protect
Alexandria."
"White mages, we ask for you to join us in casting our protective spells," Beatrix said. "When
you see Lady Eiko's magic, and my own, lighting the sky, shape and meld your spells so they fit
with ours. Let us be strong, in turn making Gaia strong also!"
"Black mages, it will be your job to unleash a barrage of your most powerful spells at Terra."
Zidane's voice was quiet and dangerous as he informed the Black Mages of their job. "For these
spells to hit at full intensity, it must be exceedingly close. Master Vivi and the survivors from
Black Mage Village will release their spells ten seconds before impact. As soon as you see the
trail of their magic, release your power also."
Beatrix said, "Warriors who are not gifted with the light of magic, our mages will need your
strength to cast their spells at the maximum power. Allow them to use your mana, your life force.
Working together is the only sure way to survive."
"Mages, warriors, we will not allow Necron or the Terrans to win this battle. We have less than
two hours. Good luck, my friends."
* * * *
As Zidane finished speaking, the transmission ended, the white light around Beatrix and himself
fading. The Genome smiled sadly at Eiko.
"Thanks, Eiko. We'll need their help. I know that you must have used a lot of strength to
broadcast us to the skies."
"It's okay," Eiko said shakily. She sat down on the cobblestone that surrounded Alexandria
Castle. "Everyone is tired. We've used our magic and our strength to the limits. We haven't even
had a chance to rest." She sighed, shouting suddenly, "I hate this! Why did Necron have to come?!
We were all so happy!" She burst into tears. "And now… Dagger is gone! It would have been okay if
she were still here! She would've known what to do! She would've protected us! Even… even though…
even though… even though we couldn't protect her when she needed us most."
Mikoto sat down next to Eiko, wrapping her arms around the girl's small form. Eiko curled into
her, whimpering softly.
"I know that you will not believe me when I say this," Mikoto whispered, "but everything will
eventually be okay, Eiko. I know that we have lost Dagger. But… probably everyone has lost
someone that they love. At least… Dagger died fighting for what she believed in. She fought for
her country, her people, and her friends. She fought for us, Eiko."
"The time to mourn is after," Zidane said, but his voice sounded strangely twisted. "We have a
job to do."
Amarant looked up as several Alexandrian mages made their way up the stairs that led to the main
entrance of the castle. "It looks like we have some company," he said quietly.
"Mages, thankyou for coming," Beatrix said, opening her arms to the small group. "Together, with
help from the mages of the world, we will put a stop to this."
"This…" Zidane said through gritted teeth, "…is the end."
* * * *
"Mother…"
The spirit looked up in surprise as Garnet spoke. "Sarah, we do not have much time," she said
tersely. "Whatever is wrong?"
"I…" The girl hung her head. "I know it is selfish, but…"
"You do not wish to die," her mother said. When Garnet said that dying was not the problem, the
spirit urged jokingly, "Well? My patience is not what it was when I was alive, daughter."
"Mother… I… want to see Zidane once more. Not to touch him… I know that touch is not possible -
we are so far apart," she commented sadly, before continuing, "But couldn't I see him at least?
Talk to him? Using my magic? I know that we don't have much time. But I love him, mother. And I'm
going to die. Can't I leave him with the knowledge that I will always love him?"
Sarah's mother nodded. "As long as you are quick, daughter, and do not tire yourself too much…
send your spirit on your white magic to speak to him. And then…" she sighed as she looked up at
the quickly-approaching planet, "…we destroy Terra and ourselves, to save our beloved home
planet."
"Thank you, mother." Garnet's voice was happy and relieved as she encased herself in a field of
white aura.
"Take care," her mother whispered.
CHAPTER 16
"Zidane…"
"Whaa?!" Zidane yelped, leaping from the cobblestones where he had been sitting so comfortably
only a second before.
-What was that?- Kuja asked as the Genome scanned the area for the source of the voice.
So you heard it too? Zidane was relieved. I'm not going crazy, then… so… what was it?
-The mages are definitely in the upper levels of the castle?- Kuja enquired.
Of course they are, you…
"…Zidane?"
She appeared next to him. He gasped, and then cried out loud, reaching for her. Instead he fell
through her, hitting cobblestone. He turned to look at her, unable to find the strength to stand.
-Princess Garnet?- Dagger?
"Dagger." His voice was soft as he watched her from the ground. He met her eyes. He looked
through them - he could still see the watchtower beyond her! "Dagger, please… are you not real?"
"I'm real, Zidane," she said softly, but sadly. "It… it is me."
"But Dagger… why are you… why?" he asked, not able to finish his question. Tears welled in his
eyes. "You can't be dead. You can't be. I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye."
"Zidane, snap out of it!" she said, for a second seeming like her normal self. "You too, Kuja,"
she added quietly.
The clamouring in Zidane's head and heart stopped as his brother stopped fighting to be heard by
Garnet.
-She… she can hear me?-
"I can hear you, Kuja," Garnet answered, her eyes closed. Zidane felt his brother's face twist
into a peaceful smile. "I'm not dead," she informed them both, and Zidane's own face lightened.
"Oh, Zidane, please do not smile so happily," she said sadly, tears welling in her eyes. "It will
make me less willing to do what I soon shall do."
Both smiles faded. "What… what are you going to do?" Zidane asked, his voice short and
frightened. "Where are you? Why did Eiko say that you died?"
Garnet smiled serenely. "You ask too many questions, my darling Zidane." She hesitated, and then
said, "Surely Eiko explained to you where I went, and what I was trying to do. It… it was a trap
that Necron had set for me. He intended to kill me, but my mother's spirit… my real mother, not
Queen Brahne… she brought me to Terra. Zidane, I'm still alive, but…"
"On Terra?" For a minute, Zidane's mind was blank. Then he cried, "Dagger, no, this can't be! The
worlds… they'll collide in two hours and we plan… we need to…"
"I know exactly what you plan and need to do," Garnet said, "for it is exactly what I plan to do,
because I know it needs to be done. I just… I just wanted you to know that I will always love
you, even in the death which is going to arrive so much sooner than I ever thought it would."
"Oh God," Zidane said. Tears rolled openly down his cheeks. "You can't do this, Dagger. Please,
listen to me, you can't do it!"
"I have to, don't you understand?!" the queen cried. "It's my life, Zidane, or the whole of Gaia.
I cannot stand by and watch the planet I grew up on, the planet that I love, and the people that
I love… I cannot watch them die! Do you understand?"
"Just like I cannot bear to see you die," Zidane said stubbornly.
"Zidane, please do not argue with me. You… you are young."
"So are you!" he yelled. "You shouldn't have to…"
"SHUT UP!" she screamed, and he fell quiet. "You still have your whole life ahead of you. I'm
sure… I'm sure you'll find someone else to… to love, as much as I love you… as much as we…"
"I will never love another," he vowed. He hung his head. "Darling, I… I understand that what you
are doing is right. But… I will never, never, love another. Please, remember that."
"I'll remember."
After a second, she whispered, "We waste too much time. I should go. But… Kuja, thank you for
helping my friends in their journey to save our beautiful planet. Take care of Zidane for me,
please…"
-I will take care of him, Garnet-
"Good luck, Kuja. Good luck, Zidane. Pass my luck on to everyone else, also. Farewell."
Zidane sobbed, pounding his fist against the ground as his queen disappeared. "I love you,
Dagger! I love you!" he screamed into the ground. "I love you!"
As he sobbed, a beautiful, tranquil voice entered his mind. Goodbye, Zidane. I will love you,
always
* * * *
Beatrix closed her mind, allowing only a very few thoughts to enter her mind, ignoring those
which would distract her. For a spell of such magnitude to work, they would all need perfect
concentration, not just her. As she sought the magic inside her soul, she felt a small hand reach
for her own. She took the hand, connecting her to Eiko not only physically, but also magically,
as threads of white light stretched to meet one another.
Eiko… are you all right?
I'm fine the younger mage assured her. Now… let's get this show on the road, before we run out
of time!
Beatrix viewed Gaia from her mind's eye, seeing it as if she were standing above it, rather than
on it. Taking her magic as well as Eiko's, Beatrix formed a protective wall around the planet.
Protect Beatrix whispered, as Eiko said, Shell
A metal glove reached for Beatrix's free hand. She took it. "Thankyou, Adelbert," she whispered,
feeling his strength flowing through her into the spell. Mikoto's life force met them as she took
Eiko's free hand.
We'll stand with you Zidane's sister told Beatrix. The brighter the light is, the easier it
will be for the mages to see it
Besides said Steiner, You need our strength
Vivi watched from behind as the four stood on top of the castle's tallest tower, white power
surrounding them. The sky began to glow yellow and silver-blue. Other white mages stood on towers
around the castle, feeding their magic into the spell. As he watched Amarant appear on the
lookout tower, Vivi turned to the black mages behind him and said softly, "My friends, it is time
to prepare ourselves. Spread throughout the castle; anywhere you so wish. Focus your power so it
is as strong as it possibly can be. But listen. Amarant Coral carries a battle horn. When you
hear its call, cast your spells. Speed is imperative, but power even more so. We have ten
seconds. Do your best. Do you understand?"
Firestar smiled to herself as the mages around her nodded. When they had first met, Vivi had been
so shy and reserved, so unwilling to speak his mind. He was born to be a leader, she thought.
As Vivi's speech drew to a close, the rest of the mages moved away, leaving only the two of them
there. Suddenly, Vivi seemed shy again. "H-how did I do?" he asked. "I was so nervous. I felt… I
was worried they were all going to turn on me or something."
Firestar laughed, and wrapped her arms around the younger mage. "Don't be silly," she chided him.
"You were… wonderful." She let go of him. "Now, little mage… let us go join the others."
* * * *
It would have been beautiful, if it weren't so sad. A yellow-blue wall formed around Gaia,
strengthening with every second that passed. All over the world, white auras shone, glimmering
brightly. More appeared as thousands and thousands of white mages joined the spell in the sky.
Black auras had also begun to show themselves, flickering, not quite reaching their full
potential. Garnet knew that the black mages were feeding their strength, and yet saving it until
the very last moment.
"Mother…" She turned to the spirit, searching the woman's brown eyes for an answer to her unasked
question. She didn't want to ask it. She didn't want to know the answer. She didn't want to die.
"Yes, Sarah. It is time." Garnet sighed sadly. So it was the end, then. "I love you, my darling
daughter."
She hesitated. She knew that she should return her mother's love… but how could she love someone
she'd only known for a few hours? Of course you love her. I remember her. Is that not enough? The
voice came from within her, powerful, and yet, somewhat gentle. Garnet knew that the voice was
the real Sarah, the Sarah who she had left behind when Brahne had taken her in from the
shipwreck. "I you, mother," she found herself saying. "Farewell, and… thank you… for your help."
With that final goodbye, she thrust herself into the barrier, weaving her own magic into it,
making it as strong as anyone could ever have hoped it to be. But was it strong enough to stop
Terra's rise? Garnet did not know.
* * * *
Eiko frowned, nearly losing her concentration. Mages all over the world had been throwing their
power into the protection spell that she and Beatrix had placed. She figured, from the strength
of the barrier, that most of the mages had already joined. She could also tell that each mage had
a non-magical person connected to them, lending the mage their power.
But the barrier had suddenly doubled in intensity, just when Eiko had believed that it would grow
no stronger. Gripping Beatrix's hand tighter, Eiko sent her magic along the barrier, searching
for the source of such power.
She found it quickly. The force behind the power was familiar to her, and yet, somewhat alien.
She thrust herself into the power, trying to work it out, and screamed, covering her eyes at the
brilliant white light of magic. Floating in the middle of it all, her eyes closed, was Garnet.
Dagger! Eiko screamed, reaching out for her. Dagger!
Garnet's eyes opened. Eiko, return to Beatrix and the others she said patiently. You do not
belong here
Where is here? the little girl demanded.
Garnet shook her head sadly. When the war is over, Zidane will tell you everything, Eiko.
Please, leave. It hurts me to see you here
Eiko, come back distantly she could hear Beatrix's voice. The mage was somewhat worried.
Dagger… Eiko sobbed. I'll miss you
And I will miss you Dagger sighed. You will win this battle, fear not. May Eidolon Alexander
be with you as you shroud this planet in holy light
Thank you Eiko whispered, and then she disappeared.
Back to Gaia; back to the war.
CHAPTER 17
Freya shivered. "It's cold up here, Amarant."
"You don't have to be here if you don't want." His eyes didn't leave the sky. "You can go back
and lend strength to one of the mages, like Quina and ol' Rusty are."
"I think there's at least one person lending strength to every mage," Freya sighed. "I feel so
useless, Amarant! There's nothing I can do… I don't know anything about magic, and I can't read
the sky as well as you…"
"Nobody reads the sky as well as me," Amarant said arrogantly.
"Yessir," Freya muttered, knowing that the bounty hunter was basically telling her to shut up.
"Sorry," he said, after a moment. "I… I just need to concentrate. What would they do to me if the
ten second mark came and passed, and I hadn't warned them?"
"They wouldn't be able to do anything to you - we wouldn't be around."
"Hey - don't think like that. We'll make it, Freya. What's gotten into you, anyway?" he asked,
surprised. "I thought I was the pessimist of the group." He laughed. "Look at me, I'm talking
again." He focused on the sky once more.
"How long do we have?" she asked, a little nervously. "Terra's looking awfully close."
Amarant didn't look at her, but she could hear the tense, nervous tone of his voice as he said,
his teeth gritted, "30 seconds."
* * * *
The spell's power reached an amazing magnitude. She could feel her mother, her friends, and
herself, all mixed up in an amazing ball of beautiful light. Surely we do not have much longer,
Garnet thought to herself. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was right. Gaia was deliriously
close. She closed her eyes again and fed the spell all the magic that she could possibly give
without fainting. She knew she would be tired later. …No. There will be no later, she remembered,
feeling sick. As she gathered more strength, not daring to look at how close her death was, she
sent out her final farewells. Goodbye, Zidane. Goodbye, Eiko. Goodbye, everybody. I love you all.
She knew they couldn't hear her. But thinking of them was enough.
* * * *
Zidane/Kuja heard the horn's blast.
-10 seconds- the elder of the two whispered.
Let's go! yelled Zidane.
* * * *
Ten.
In a roar of spirit and voice, the black mages of Gaia sent the power of their magic into the
skies, directing it at the planet that would take away their lives if they did not fight it. They
cast their most powerful spells, over and over again, expending their mana as quickly as they
could, using the life force of their friends to make the spell more powerful.
Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One…
The mages and their friends were exhausted. They collapsed against each other, all their strength
used. Now they could rest.
Zero.
With a final, blinding light, all was returned to darkness.
~To Be Continued~
Fire Angel
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yeah, yeah, I know. Bad Fire Angel, bad. I haven't written any more for ages, and
you're probably all going 'write more, dammit!' (if there's anyone still reading this fanfic,
it's been like a year since I started it I think… if not more). I've been a bit discouraged
because I lost all of my notes and story plans (when someone stole and destroyed the disk I kept
em on and I hadn't made a backup for six months - now I backup with EVERY damn save), and I've
been busy playing Final Fantasy X, Metal Gear Solid 2 AND Resident Evil 4, so I haven't really
thought about writing… well, until recently when I had to write something for an English
assignment and went… 'yes! Writing! This is something I like to do! Why have I not been doing
this enjoyable thing?!'… somehow I think work is taking its toll on me. Then I looked at my
fanfic wishlist (stuff I would love to write about) and went 'holy cow! (actually there were more
expletives involved, but I try to keep these author's notes PG-rated at least)… If I want to get
all of these done eventually, I am going to either have to a) get my butt into gear and write
them or b) somehow fit all of these ideas into a fanfic entitled 'the ideas of Fire Angel that
she just couldn't be bothered shaping into a story… use at your own free will!'. And they're
good ideas, I didn't want to do it! So shoot me! Actually, don't. I'll NEVER get this wishlist
finished with a bullet through my brain. But honestly, I have around… let's see (am looking at
wishlist now and counting ideas…)… … …twenty-three ideas?! Aa… Megami… -sama. And to think that I
am also working on TWO webpages, and have just gotten my life into gear by starting an exercise
program. Between school, homework, music practice, work, my exercise regime, writing, designing
my webpage AND playing video games I am going to have no societal value (as if I had any to begin
with anyway, but THAT is beside the point, my friends). Wow, I think I need to write more. Look
how much I've got to say! Eiiiiggh… my life is getting very disturbing. PS: Parental units are
insisting that I keep my pigsty of a room tidy. More time - out of the window!! Oh yeah, and I
have to do some sort of reading, too! What kind of fanfic author (or any kind of AUTHOR, full
stop) doesn't read any other texts? Ai ai ai, minna, I think my life is going to be very strange
from hereon in. Any solutions (or come to think of it, any comments for this long-awaited [I'm
sure] part of this story) go to the usual place (in answer to your questions: no, it hasn't
changed and yes, I'm boring): rinoa_heartilly86@hotmail.com :ob or you could just e-mail me and
whinge about this extremely long author's note (I'll just tell you to bugger off, but it's the
thought that counts, I s'pose). And I'm not even going to tell you what this chapter is about
save that Dagger's real name IS Sarah (it's revealed in the game… so is her mother's name, but I
can't remember it, so she's Dagger's mother still for all I care) but I'll leave surprises for
you this time. Anywayz, r&r (read and review, not rest and relaxation!), e-mail me and just
generally enjoy this fanfiction. I think I'll go to sleep now, this author's note has tired me so
much (it's almost a whole page long, dearie me). Luv Fire Angel, the very tired soul but also the
proud owner (and winner) of Final Fantasy X (which compensates for tired, methinks), and the
owner of all other FFs from IV-IX! Cool, huh? Catch yaz all laterz. xxx ooo
Fire Angel :ob
…zzz…
The Rise of Terra
Part 6: Garnet's Sacrifice
CHAPTER 15
"Mages of the world, we beg leave to address you."
Everyone who heard the voice looked up. A female face loomed in the sky. She was transparent -
the stars could be seen through her. She smiled, somewhat sadly, as her image shifted slightly to
the side, and a blonde man joined her.
If the people had not known who she was, they knew when they saw the young man - she was Lady
Beatrix of Queen Garnet's famous female army, and he was the queen's lover and the world's
saviour - Zidane Tribal. Even those who were not mages listened intently as the Genome and the
young warrior made their address.
"You may already well know that Necron and his army of Terran creatures have been attacking
Alexandria," the image of Zidane said quietly. "If the lights in the night sky have not already
told you of our battle, I would be greatly surprised."
"We are losing the battle," Beatrix continued. Her voice was sad and broken. "We have killed
Necron, but we have lost thousands of loyal soldiers, and, more recently, our queen."
The world was stunned into a shocked silence. Garnet had been a fair and brave queen, loved by
everyone the world over. She had not only ruled her own country but also acted as an ambassador,
passing from country to country and bridging gaps that Brahne had forced when she had been queen.
Somewhere, softly, someone began to sob. And the world started to cry, too.
"Necron warned us before his death that collision between Terra and Gaia is inevitable," Zidane
said. When Beatrix had told of Garnet's death, tears had welled in the Genome's eyes, and as he
spoke, they trickled down his cheeks. He was unashamed. He had nothing to hide. He had loved his
Dagger and the world knew it. They cried with him. "We have two hours… actually… it's closer to
an hour and forty minutes… before the worlds collide."
"We are not going to tell you to go out and live your last moments to the fullest," Beatrix said.
"We are not going to die. We are going to save Gaia, and we are going to live. We will do this…
together."
"And even if we do lose our lives… we will have lost them for a greater cause. We will die an
honourable death, just like the soldiers and civilians that gave their lives to protect
Alexandria."
"White mages, we ask for you to join us in casting our protective spells," Beatrix said. "When
you see Lady Eiko's magic, and my own, lighting the sky, shape and meld your spells so they fit
with ours. Let us be strong, in turn making Gaia strong also!"
"Black mages, it will be your job to unleash a barrage of your most powerful spells at Terra."
Zidane's voice was quiet and dangerous as he informed the Black Mages of their job. "For these
spells to hit at full intensity, it must be exceedingly close. Master Vivi and the survivors from
Black Mage Village will release their spells ten seconds before impact. As soon as you see the
trail of their magic, release your power also."
Beatrix said, "Warriors who are not gifted with the light of magic, our mages will need your
strength to cast their spells at the maximum power. Allow them to use your mana, your life force.
Working together is the only sure way to survive."
"Mages, warriors, we will not allow Necron or the Terrans to win this battle. We have less than
two hours. Good luck, my friends."
* * * *
As Zidane finished speaking, the transmission ended, the white light around Beatrix and himself
fading. The Genome smiled sadly at Eiko.
"Thanks, Eiko. We'll need their help. I know that you must have used a lot of strength to
broadcast us to the skies."
"It's okay," Eiko said shakily. She sat down on the cobblestone that surrounded Alexandria
Castle. "Everyone is tired. We've used our magic and our strength to the limits. We haven't even
had a chance to rest." She sighed, shouting suddenly, "I hate this! Why did Necron have to come?!
We were all so happy!" She burst into tears. "And now… Dagger is gone! It would have been okay if
she were still here! She would've known what to do! She would've protected us! Even… even though…
even though… even though we couldn't protect her when she needed us most."
Mikoto sat down next to Eiko, wrapping her arms around the girl's small form. Eiko curled into
her, whimpering softly.
"I know that you will not believe me when I say this," Mikoto whispered, "but everything will
eventually be okay, Eiko. I know that we have lost Dagger. But… probably everyone has lost
someone that they love. At least… Dagger died fighting for what she believed in. She fought for
her country, her people, and her friends. She fought for us, Eiko."
"The time to mourn is after," Zidane said, but his voice sounded strangely twisted. "We have a
job to do."
Amarant looked up as several Alexandrian mages made their way up the stairs that led to the main
entrance of the castle. "It looks like we have some company," he said quietly.
"Mages, thankyou for coming," Beatrix said, opening her arms to the small group. "Together, with
help from the mages of the world, we will put a stop to this."
"This…" Zidane said through gritted teeth, "…is the end."
* * * *
"Mother…"
The spirit looked up in surprise as Garnet spoke. "Sarah, we do not have much time," she said
tersely. "Whatever is wrong?"
"I…" The girl hung her head. "I know it is selfish, but…"
"You do not wish to die," her mother said. When Garnet said that dying was not the problem, the
spirit urged jokingly, "Well? My patience is not what it was when I was alive, daughter."
"Mother… I… want to see Zidane once more. Not to touch him… I know that touch is not possible -
we are so far apart," she commented sadly, before continuing, "But couldn't I see him at least?
Talk to him? Using my magic? I know that we don't have much time. But I love him, mother. And I'm
going to die. Can't I leave him with the knowledge that I will always love him?"
Sarah's mother nodded. "As long as you are quick, daughter, and do not tire yourself too much…
send your spirit on your white magic to speak to him. And then…" she sighed as she looked up at
the quickly-approaching planet, "…we destroy Terra and ourselves, to save our beloved home
planet."
"Thank you, mother." Garnet's voice was happy and relieved as she encased herself in a field of
white aura.
"Take care," her mother whispered.
CHAPTER 16
"Zidane…"
"Whaa?!" Zidane yelped, leaping from the cobblestones where he had been sitting so comfortably
only a second before.
-What was that?- Kuja asked as the Genome scanned the area for the source of the voice.
So you heard it too? Zidane was relieved. I'm not going crazy, then… so… what was it?
-The mages are definitely in the upper levels of the castle?- Kuja enquired.
Of course they are, you…
"…Zidane?"
She appeared next to him. He gasped, and then cried out loud, reaching for her. Instead he fell
through her, hitting cobblestone. He turned to look at her, unable to find the strength to stand.
-Princess Garnet?- Dagger?
"Dagger." His voice was soft as he watched her from the ground. He met her eyes. He looked
through them - he could still see the watchtower beyond her! "Dagger, please… are you not real?"
"I'm real, Zidane," she said softly, but sadly. "It… it is me."
"But Dagger… why are you… why?" he asked, not able to finish his question. Tears welled in his
eyes. "You can't be dead. You can't be. I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye."
"Zidane, snap out of it!" she said, for a second seeming like her normal self. "You too, Kuja,"
she added quietly.
The clamouring in Zidane's head and heart stopped as his brother stopped fighting to be heard by
Garnet.
-She… she can hear me?-
"I can hear you, Kuja," Garnet answered, her eyes closed. Zidane felt his brother's face twist
into a peaceful smile. "I'm not dead," she informed them both, and Zidane's own face lightened.
"Oh, Zidane, please do not smile so happily," she said sadly, tears welling in her eyes. "It will
make me less willing to do what I soon shall do."
Both smiles faded. "What… what are you going to do?" Zidane asked, his voice short and
frightened. "Where are you? Why did Eiko say that you died?"
Garnet smiled serenely. "You ask too many questions, my darling Zidane." She hesitated, and then
said, "Surely Eiko explained to you where I went, and what I was trying to do. It… it was a trap
that Necron had set for me. He intended to kill me, but my mother's spirit… my real mother, not
Queen Brahne… she brought me to Terra. Zidane, I'm still alive, but…"
"On Terra?" For a minute, Zidane's mind was blank. Then he cried, "Dagger, no, this can't be! The
worlds… they'll collide in two hours and we plan… we need to…"
"I know exactly what you plan and need to do," Garnet said, "for it is exactly what I plan to do,
because I know it needs to be done. I just… I just wanted you to know that I will always love
you, even in the death which is going to arrive so much sooner than I ever thought it would."
"Oh God," Zidane said. Tears rolled openly down his cheeks. "You can't do this, Dagger. Please,
listen to me, you can't do it!"
"I have to, don't you understand?!" the queen cried. "It's my life, Zidane, or the whole of Gaia.
I cannot stand by and watch the planet I grew up on, the planet that I love, and the people that
I love… I cannot watch them die! Do you understand?"
"Just like I cannot bear to see you die," Zidane said stubbornly.
"Zidane, please do not argue with me. You… you are young."
"So are you!" he yelled. "You shouldn't have to…"
"SHUT UP!" she screamed, and he fell quiet. "You still have your whole life ahead of you. I'm
sure… I'm sure you'll find someone else to… to love, as much as I love you… as much as we…"
"I will never love another," he vowed. He hung his head. "Darling, I… I understand that what you
are doing is right. But… I will never, never, love another. Please, remember that."
"I'll remember."
After a second, she whispered, "We waste too much time. I should go. But… Kuja, thank you for
helping my friends in their journey to save our beautiful planet. Take care of Zidane for me,
please…"
-I will take care of him, Garnet-
"Good luck, Kuja. Good luck, Zidane. Pass my luck on to everyone else, also. Farewell."
Zidane sobbed, pounding his fist against the ground as his queen disappeared. "I love you,
Dagger! I love you!" he screamed into the ground. "I love you!"
As he sobbed, a beautiful, tranquil voice entered his mind. Goodbye, Zidane. I will love you,
always
* * * *
Beatrix closed her mind, allowing only a very few thoughts to enter her mind, ignoring those
which would distract her. For a spell of such magnitude to work, they would all need perfect
concentration, not just her. As she sought the magic inside her soul, she felt a small hand reach
for her own. She took the hand, connecting her to Eiko not only physically, but also magically,
as threads of white light stretched to meet one another.
Eiko… are you all right?
I'm fine the younger mage assured her. Now… let's get this show on the road, before we run out
of time!
Beatrix viewed Gaia from her mind's eye, seeing it as if she were standing above it, rather than
on it. Taking her magic as well as Eiko's, Beatrix formed a protective wall around the planet.
Protect Beatrix whispered, as Eiko said, Shell
A metal glove reached for Beatrix's free hand. She took it. "Thankyou, Adelbert," she whispered,
feeling his strength flowing through her into the spell. Mikoto's life force met them as she took
Eiko's free hand.
We'll stand with you Zidane's sister told Beatrix. The brighter the light is, the easier it
will be for the mages to see it
Besides said Steiner, You need our strength
Vivi watched from behind as the four stood on top of the castle's tallest tower, white power
surrounding them. The sky began to glow yellow and silver-blue. Other white mages stood on towers
around the castle, feeding their magic into the spell. As he watched Amarant appear on the
lookout tower, Vivi turned to the black mages behind him and said softly, "My friends, it is time
to prepare ourselves. Spread throughout the castle; anywhere you so wish. Focus your power so it
is as strong as it possibly can be. But listen. Amarant Coral carries a battle horn. When you
hear its call, cast your spells. Speed is imperative, but power even more so. We have ten
seconds. Do your best. Do you understand?"
Firestar smiled to herself as the mages around her nodded. When they had first met, Vivi had been
so shy and reserved, so unwilling to speak his mind. He was born to be a leader, she thought.
As Vivi's speech drew to a close, the rest of the mages moved away, leaving only the two of them
there. Suddenly, Vivi seemed shy again. "H-how did I do?" he asked. "I was so nervous. I felt… I
was worried they were all going to turn on me or something."
Firestar laughed, and wrapped her arms around the younger mage. "Don't be silly," she chided him.
"You were… wonderful." She let go of him. "Now, little mage… let us go join the others."
* * * *
It would have been beautiful, if it weren't so sad. A yellow-blue wall formed around Gaia,
strengthening with every second that passed. All over the world, white auras shone, glimmering
brightly. More appeared as thousands and thousands of white mages joined the spell in the sky.
Black auras had also begun to show themselves, flickering, not quite reaching their full
potential. Garnet knew that the black mages were feeding their strength, and yet saving it until
the very last moment.
"Mother…" She turned to the spirit, searching the woman's brown eyes for an answer to her unasked
question. She didn't want to ask it. She didn't want to know the answer. She didn't want to die.
"Yes, Sarah. It is time." Garnet sighed sadly. So it was the end, then. "I love you, my darling
daughter."
She hesitated. She knew that she should return her mother's love… but how could she love someone
she'd only known for a few hours? Of course you love her. I remember her. Is that not enough? The
voice came from within her, powerful, and yet, somewhat gentle. Garnet knew that the voice was
the real Sarah, the Sarah who she had left behind when Brahne had taken her in from the
shipwreck. "I you, mother," she found herself saying. "Farewell, and… thank you… for your help."
With that final goodbye, she thrust herself into the barrier, weaving her own magic into it,
making it as strong as anyone could ever have hoped it to be. But was it strong enough to stop
Terra's rise? Garnet did not know.
* * * *
Eiko frowned, nearly losing her concentration. Mages all over the world had been throwing their
power into the protection spell that she and Beatrix had placed. She figured, from the strength
of the barrier, that most of the mages had already joined. She could also tell that each mage had
a non-magical person connected to them, lending the mage their power.
But the barrier had suddenly doubled in intensity, just when Eiko had believed that it would grow
no stronger. Gripping Beatrix's hand tighter, Eiko sent her magic along the barrier, searching
for the source of such power.
She found it quickly. The force behind the power was familiar to her, and yet, somewhat alien.
She thrust herself into the power, trying to work it out, and screamed, covering her eyes at the
brilliant white light of magic. Floating in the middle of it all, her eyes closed, was Garnet.
Dagger! Eiko screamed, reaching out for her. Dagger!
Garnet's eyes opened. Eiko, return to Beatrix and the others she said patiently. You do not
belong here
Where is here? the little girl demanded.
Garnet shook her head sadly. When the war is over, Zidane will tell you everything, Eiko.
Please, leave. It hurts me to see you here
Eiko, come back distantly she could hear Beatrix's voice. The mage was somewhat worried.
Dagger… Eiko sobbed. I'll miss you
And I will miss you Dagger sighed. You will win this battle, fear not. May Eidolon Alexander
be with you as you shroud this planet in holy light
Thank you Eiko whispered, and then she disappeared.
Back to Gaia; back to the war.
CHAPTER 17
Freya shivered. "It's cold up here, Amarant."
"You don't have to be here if you don't want." His eyes didn't leave the sky. "You can go back
and lend strength to one of the mages, like Quina and ol' Rusty are."
"I think there's at least one person lending strength to every mage," Freya sighed. "I feel so
useless, Amarant! There's nothing I can do… I don't know anything about magic, and I can't read
the sky as well as you…"
"Nobody reads the sky as well as me," Amarant said arrogantly.
"Yessir," Freya muttered, knowing that the bounty hunter was basically telling her to shut up.
"Sorry," he said, after a moment. "I… I just need to concentrate. What would they do to me if the
ten second mark came and passed, and I hadn't warned them?"
"They wouldn't be able to do anything to you - we wouldn't be around."
"Hey - don't think like that. We'll make it, Freya. What's gotten into you, anyway?" he asked,
surprised. "I thought I was the pessimist of the group." He laughed. "Look at me, I'm talking
again." He focused on the sky once more.
"How long do we have?" she asked, a little nervously. "Terra's looking awfully close."
Amarant didn't look at her, but she could hear the tense, nervous tone of his voice as he said,
his teeth gritted, "30 seconds."
* * * *
The spell's power reached an amazing magnitude. She could feel her mother, her friends, and
herself, all mixed up in an amazing ball of beautiful light. Surely we do not have much longer,
Garnet thought to herself. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was right. Gaia was deliriously
close. She closed her eyes again and fed the spell all the magic that she could possibly give
without fainting. She knew she would be tired later. …No. There will be no later, she remembered,
feeling sick. As she gathered more strength, not daring to look at how close her death was, she
sent out her final farewells. Goodbye, Zidane. Goodbye, Eiko. Goodbye, everybody. I love you all.
She knew they couldn't hear her. But thinking of them was enough.
* * * *
Zidane/Kuja heard the horn's blast.
-10 seconds- the elder of the two whispered.
Let's go! yelled Zidane.
* * * *
Ten.
In a roar of spirit and voice, the black mages of Gaia sent the power of their magic into the
skies, directing it at the planet that would take away their lives if they did not fight it. They
cast their most powerful spells, over and over again, expending their mana as quickly as they
could, using the life force of their friends to make the spell more powerful.
Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One…
The mages and their friends were exhausted. They collapsed against each other, all their strength
used. Now they could rest.
Zero.
With a final, blinding light, all was returned to darkness.
~To Be Continued~