THIS WILL BE FINISHED BY THE END OF THIS WEEK! Or my name's not Luki
Dimension! Well, actually it isn't . . . but you get the picture! I want
it finished before December so I can work on another Tantalus fic (I cant
believe I decided to do a Christmas special. I'm completely insane!).
Anyway, Kingpin is right when he says the story's close to finished. Only
one more chapter to go! R&R
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ALEXANDRIA
"Well, here we are kid" called Jack as the boat docked. "And thanks for the cards."
"I can't believe you beat me at 25 games straight!" moaned Zidane. "Not even one loss!"
"Sorry, to burst your bubble kid, but I'm the best" explained Alleyway Jack. "No one can beat me. Well, maybe I'll see you around."
As he turned to leave, he gave a word of advice. "By the way, there's some kind of play being held in town which means big crowds, so you wont be the only thief around okay?"
With that, Alleyway Jack walked off and strolled into.an alley.
"Man, he was good" muttered Zidane. "No wonder he doesn't steal all the time. But I wonder where this play is being held?"
* * *
"Nice place! No eternal night, no eternal rain, no squids. I think I might just have found heaven!"
It hadn't taken Zidane long to check out the town, and he was impressed. There were several nobles' houses, but most were middle class. The place was also remarkably clean and dry, unlike Treno and Burmecia.
"Hey kid! Get outta the way!" a voice shouted. Zidane jumped out of the way as a group of men pushed roughly past with a plank of wood.
"Have to get ready. Have to get ready" they muttered.
Curious, Zidane followed them. A stage had been set in Alexandria Square, and a group of people were running around, muttering about a performance.
He watched them for a while. They were rehearsing some old play. Somewhere in his knowledge, the name Avon clicked. Either way, there were two actors on stage, complaining about a canary getting away.
It didn't take Zidane long to get bored. Who cared how pretty a canary was, these guys should have stuck to their species and gotten a girl. They couldn't fly away.
Finally, he grew impatient, and melded into the crowd, lifting someone's wallet as he wandered around.
* * *
That's when he saw her. The most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She was about Zidane's age, and staring at the rehearsal. Her long brown hair was swept in a loose ponytail, and she wore a white vest with a red skirt. Zidane had never felt truly serious about his flirting before, but this was the first time HE was hooked. And she hadn't even done anything, just looked cute.
Without hesitating, he ran towards her, but in the crowd, as to surprise her. Finally, he was in speaking distance.
"Hi" he said; hoping his voice wasn't as squeaky as it sounded.
* * *
Princess Garnet whirled her head to see the boy. She'd lost Steiner somewhere in the castle, and snuck out to watch the preparations. He had been watching her like a hawk with her illness, but she needed some fresh air. She hadn't thought anyone would actually see her, but this boy did. He looked a mess; his cloak more suited to Burmecian weather than Alexandria's, and for some reason, had a tail. But he did have a nice smile . . .
She smiled back nervously. "Hi" she answered. "Who are you?"
Zidane opened his mouth to answer, when a large clanging could be heard.
"PRINCESS! PRINCESS GARNET! WHERE ARE YOU!" the man in armour shrieked, running out of the castle, turning several heads. Finally, Steiner saw her, talking to a young lowlife.
"YOU RUFFIAN!" he shrieked. "I SHALL PROTECT YOU PRINCESS!"
Zidane's eyes widened as the man unsheathed a sword. And unlike him in the Ice Cave, this guy knew exactly how to use it. Not even attempting to chance it, Zidane bolted.
Princess Garnet sighed as Steiner reached her. "Why'd you do that Steiner? He was nice. He . . . " she stopped, breaking into a heavy cough.
Steiner picked her up, and led her back into the castle.
"That's why princess" he explained. "You're too weak at the moment. What if that boy had carried another disease? We don't need you getting any sicker."
* * *
Zidane ran out of the square, and kept running until he reached the bar. He collapsed underneath the sign, and clutched his heart in shock.
"That girl, was a PRINCESS" he gasped. "I sure can pick em."
Sighing, he dragged himself to his feet, and stared at the bar.
'I'm starving, maybe I can get something to eat' he thought.
* * *
As he walked into the bar however, a familiar face caught sight of him.
"Well well well. If it isn't monkey boy himself."
Zidane growled, and turned to face the insulter. However, when he saw the mans face, his snarl turned into a wide grin.
"Pops!" he shouted, and ran to the mans table.
* * *
The man laughed as the boy sat down. "What are you doing in Alexandria kid?"
Zidane shrugged. "Needed to get away from Burmecia. I've been under Gizmaluke arrest."
Pops laughed again. "I kept expecting you to show up in Lindblum, but I guess you got caught up."
Zidane nodded. "You wouldn't believe it" he explained, and started to tell his story.
* * *
" . . . And then I ran here and met you" Zidane finished, polishing off the last of his stew.
Pops shook his head in disbelief. "What is Princess Garnet thinking? She can't come out in her condition. I heard she wants to see the world normally but . . . "
"Why? What's wrong with her?" Zidane asked.
The older man sighed. "She's very ill. They say she could die any day now."
"Really? But she looked just fine" Zidane exclaimed.
"Sometimes the things you can't see are the most lethal" Pops explained. "But let's change the subject. How long are you in Alexandria?"
Seeing that no amount of cajoling would get them back to their last subject, Zidane went with the flow.
"Until they kick me out" he joked, hands behind his head. "And you?"
"Actually, I'm leaving today" Pops explained. "I had some business here, but I have to get back to Lindblum."
Zidane smiled. "Well I might show up soon. Never know how life's gonna turn out."
Pops laughed, and stood up. "Until next we meet. By the way, Baku told me to thank you if I saw you again for getting the sword."
"Baku? Is he the guy the sword belonged to?" Zidane asked.
Pops nodded. "Yep. Now he's the leader of a gang of thieves. You'd fit right in."
"Thanks but no thanks" laughed Zidane. "From what I've seen of gangs in Treno, I don't want to be anywhere near one."
* * *
When Pops left, Zidane closely followed. He walked back to the square, and stared up at the castle.
'Princess Garnet.' he thought. 'Pops said you wanted to see the world. Well I'm gonna show it to you . . . '
* * *
That night . . .
Princess Garnet coughed, unable to sleep. It was strange, this sickness. Except for a strong cough, and some aches and pains, she didn't feel that bad. Yet the doctors told her that her heart was failing, and could quite easily stop. Her mother and father hadn't yet revealed to their subjects that this disease was incurable. They wanted them to keep hoping.
Garnet herself, didn't care what they thought. She just thought it was unfair that she should die without seeing what the world was like. Without guards watching her every minute. A six-year-old should be able to get that right?
Her thoughts went back to the boy in the square. What she wouldn't give to have his life. Full of freedom . . .
"Why did I have to be born a Princess?" she wondered, and coughed again.
"Cause everyone knows Princess' have to be cutest girls around" a voice said.
Garnet jolted from her bed, and looked around. There, on her windowsill, was the boy from the square, his tail twitching in the moonlight. In his hand he held his cloak
"Wha . . . what are you doing in here?" she shouted.
Zidane smiled. "I heard you wanted to see the world, but you're real sick."
Garnet could only nod. How did this boy get in her room?
"Well Garnet. I'm Zidane, and although I cant show you the world, will you settle for Alexandria?" He jumped from the sill and threw the cloak on the bed.
Garnet stared at it for a few minutes, then back at Zidane.
"Really?" she whispered. Zidane nodded.
"How?"
* * *
"I . . . have to climb down that?" Garnet said, shocked. Somehow, Zidane had created a haggard staircase of rope, boxes and planks to the girl's window, and was about to find out how strong it really was.
"Don't worry," he said. "Just grab the rope. It should swing you to the boxes. After that, it's plain sailing."
She looked at the boy she'd only known a few minutes. "Are you sure?" she asked.
When he nodded again, Garnet took a deep breath, and grabbed the rope.
* * *
"AHHH!" she shrieked, as she glided hundreds of feet in the air. She'd never felt more alive. As she let go, she plummeted to the boxes, in a not so graceful landing. A few seconds later, Zidane joined her.
"Bet you never did something like that in there" he laughed. "Are you ready?"
Garnet dusted the cloak he'd let her borrow to hide who she was.
"Lets go!"
* * *
It was one of the most memorable nights in both children's lives. Zidane had spent most of the day learning his way around Lindblum, and showed off all the towns' best spots. Garnet tried the specials in the bar that her mother thought were too 'common' for her to have, she played Tetra Master with several teens (she was actually pretty good), and even entered several shops. To Zidane's surprise, she'd never been shopping in her life, and somehow got conned into letting her borrow some money.
They finally wound up at the church near the docks. Although both were tired, they climbed the bell tower, and watched the sun begin to rise.
Zidane was resting against a support when Garnet leaned on him. Surprised, he looked to see she had fallen asleep. Smiling, he tried to move without waking her, but to no avail. She woke up as he started moving.
"Huh?" she asked sleepily. "What's going on?"
"We'd better get you back" he explained. "Think you can get down the ladder?"
She nodded. "But you should go first. In case I fall asleep again."
Zidane nodded.
* * *
No one was in the square when the two walked through. They reached the moat that surrounded the castle, and Garnet handed Zidane back his cloak.
"Thank you Zidane" she said. "I've never had so much fun. I . . . " she stopped and coughed again.
"Its okay" Zidane said. "I'm glad you had fun. Hey, when you get better, I'll show you all of Gaia. That's a promise!"
Garnet smiled wistfully. 'If only he knew' she thought.
Suddenly, a familiar clanking could be heard, and Steiner ran onto the scene, alone with a feminine soldier.
"Princess Garnet!" she called.
"It's that boy again!" Steiner cried. "I knew it. You kidnapped the Princess! I'll lock you away and throw away the key for the distress you caused the queen!"
"That's my cue to leave!" shouted Zidane, and bolted into the abandoned square. He was so preoccupied; he didn't notice Princess Garnet collapse to the ground . . .
* * *
One week later . . .
"Have you heard the news?"
"Yeah! They say Princess Garnet's all better now!"
"It was pretty close for a while there."
Zidane sighed, and drank the ale he'd swiped off a table in the bar. He needed something strong.
"But they say her memory's completely gone."
"Yeah, repressed memories, or amnesia. Think she'll be okay?"
"She's young. She has all the time in the world to remember."
As the men walked away, Zidane looked up at the castle. If he looked close enough, he could see a figure in Garnets bedroom.
'Garnet' he thought. 'You've completely forgotten what happened. You probably don't even remember your dreams. But at least you have people around you that can help you remember."
Zidane finished the drink, and wiped his mouth.
'But I promised I'd show you the world. And I intend to keep that promise' he thought.
Just then, a group of young female nobles passed him, giggling at the small boy. As they past, his face broke out into a grin.
'Of course, that doesn't mean I cant have some fun beforehand' he said to himself. 'Besides, I gotta eat right?'
With that, he walked after the girls.
To be continued . . .
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This chapter was completely impulsive. I realised that the real Garnet died when she was about 6 (the same age Zidane is at the moment), and the whole chapter was created during my study period. I was originally going to have him meet Dagger, but it didn't work out. Oh, and I'm sorry if Steiner was out of character in the appearances he made, but once again, he's a character I don't use often. Its really annoying cause my team usually consists of Zidane, Garnet, Vivi and Eiko, none of which are really that useful when it comes to prequels.
Oh, and I know I ask this all the time, but can you please check out Guardian? I know a lot of people don't check out original fics, but I've been told its good. I had to beg one of my friends to look at it, but now she wont put it down! (Ditto for my brother).
Well, that's all for now, R&R!
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ALEXANDRIA
"Well, here we are kid" called Jack as the boat docked. "And thanks for the cards."
"I can't believe you beat me at 25 games straight!" moaned Zidane. "Not even one loss!"
"Sorry, to burst your bubble kid, but I'm the best" explained Alleyway Jack. "No one can beat me. Well, maybe I'll see you around."
As he turned to leave, he gave a word of advice. "By the way, there's some kind of play being held in town which means big crowds, so you wont be the only thief around okay?"
With that, Alleyway Jack walked off and strolled into.an alley.
"Man, he was good" muttered Zidane. "No wonder he doesn't steal all the time. But I wonder where this play is being held?"
* * *
"Nice place! No eternal night, no eternal rain, no squids. I think I might just have found heaven!"
It hadn't taken Zidane long to check out the town, and he was impressed. There were several nobles' houses, but most were middle class. The place was also remarkably clean and dry, unlike Treno and Burmecia.
"Hey kid! Get outta the way!" a voice shouted. Zidane jumped out of the way as a group of men pushed roughly past with a plank of wood.
"Have to get ready. Have to get ready" they muttered.
Curious, Zidane followed them. A stage had been set in Alexandria Square, and a group of people were running around, muttering about a performance.
He watched them for a while. They were rehearsing some old play. Somewhere in his knowledge, the name Avon clicked. Either way, there were two actors on stage, complaining about a canary getting away.
It didn't take Zidane long to get bored. Who cared how pretty a canary was, these guys should have stuck to their species and gotten a girl. They couldn't fly away.
Finally, he grew impatient, and melded into the crowd, lifting someone's wallet as he wandered around.
* * *
That's when he saw her. The most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. She was about Zidane's age, and staring at the rehearsal. Her long brown hair was swept in a loose ponytail, and she wore a white vest with a red skirt. Zidane had never felt truly serious about his flirting before, but this was the first time HE was hooked. And she hadn't even done anything, just looked cute.
Without hesitating, he ran towards her, but in the crowd, as to surprise her. Finally, he was in speaking distance.
"Hi" he said; hoping his voice wasn't as squeaky as it sounded.
* * *
Princess Garnet whirled her head to see the boy. She'd lost Steiner somewhere in the castle, and snuck out to watch the preparations. He had been watching her like a hawk with her illness, but she needed some fresh air. She hadn't thought anyone would actually see her, but this boy did. He looked a mess; his cloak more suited to Burmecian weather than Alexandria's, and for some reason, had a tail. But he did have a nice smile . . .
She smiled back nervously. "Hi" she answered. "Who are you?"
Zidane opened his mouth to answer, when a large clanging could be heard.
"PRINCESS! PRINCESS GARNET! WHERE ARE YOU!" the man in armour shrieked, running out of the castle, turning several heads. Finally, Steiner saw her, talking to a young lowlife.
"YOU RUFFIAN!" he shrieked. "I SHALL PROTECT YOU PRINCESS!"
Zidane's eyes widened as the man unsheathed a sword. And unlike him in the Ice Cave, this guy knew exactly how to use it. Not even attempting to chance it, Zidane bolted.
Princess Garnet sighed as Steiner reached her. "Why'd you do that Steiner? He was nice. He . . . " she stopped, breaking into a heavy cough.
Steiner picked her up, and led her back into the castle.
"That's why princess" he explained. "You're too weak at the moment. What if that boy had carried another disease? We don't need you getting any sicker."
* * *
Zidane ran out of the square, and kept running until he reached the bar. He collapsed underneath the sign, and clutched his heart in shock.
"That girl, was a PRINCESS" he gasped. "I sure can pick em."
Sighing, he dragged himself to his feet, and stared at the bar.
'I'm starving, maybe I can get something to eat' he thought.
* * *
As he walked into the bar however, a familiar face caught sight of him.
"Well well well. If it isn't monkey boy himself."
Zidane growled, and turned to face the insulter. However, when he saw the mans face, his snarl turned into a wide grin.
"Pops!" he shouted, and ran to the mans table.
* * *
The man laughed as the boy sat down. "What are you doing in Alexandria kid?"
Zidane shrugged. "Needed to get away from Burmecia. I've been under Gizmaluke arrest."
Pops laughed again. "I kept expecting you to show up in Lindblum, but I guess you got caught up."
Zidane nodded. "You wouldn't believe it" he explained, and started to tell his story.
* * *
" . . . And then I ran here and met you" Zidane finished, polishing off the last of his stew.
Pops shook his head in disbelief. "What is Princess Garnet thinking? She can't come out in her condition. I heard she wants to see the world normally but . . . "
"Why? What's wrong with her?" Zidane asked.
The older man sighed. "She's very ill. They say she could die any day now."
"Really? But she looked just fine" Zidane exclaimed.
"Sometimes the things you can't see are the most lethal" Pops explained. "But let's change the subject. How long are you in Alexandria?"
Seeing that no amount of cajoling would get them back to their last subject, Zidane went with the flow.
"Until they kick me out" he joked, hands behind his head. "And you?"
"Actually, I'm leaving today" Pops explained. "I had some business here, but I have to get back to Lindblum."
Zidane smiled. "Well I might show up soon. Never know how life's gonna turn out."
Pops laughed, and stood up. "Until next we meet. By the way, Baku told me to thank you if I saw you again for getting the sword."
"Baku? Is he the guy the sword belonged to?" Zidane asked.
Pops nodded. "Yep. Now he's the leader of a gang of thieves. You'd fit right in."
"Thanks but no thanks" laughed Zidane. "From what I've seen of gangs in Treno, I don't want to be anywhere near one."
* * *
When Pops left, Zidane closely followed. He walked back to the square, and stared up at the castle.
'Princess Garnet.' he thought. 'Pops said you wanted to see the world. Well I'm gonna show it to you . . . '
* * *
That night . . .
Princess Garnet coughed, unable to sleep. It was strange, this sickness. Except for a strong cough, and some aches and pains, she didn't feel that bad. Yet the doctors told her that her heart was failing, and could quite easily stop. Her mother and father hadn't yet revealed to their subjects that this disease was incurable. They wanted them to keep hoping.
Garnet herself, didn't care what they thought. She just thought it was unfair that she should die without seeing what the world was like. Without guards watching her every minute. A six-year-old should be able to get that right?
Her thoughts went back to the boy in the square. What she wouldn't give to have his life. Full of freedom . . .
"Why did I have to be born a Princess?" she wondered, and coughed again.
"Cause everyone knows Princess' have to be cutest girls around" a voice said.
Garnet jolted from her bed, and looked around. There, on her windowsill, was the boy from the square, his tail twitching in the moonlight. In his hand he held his cloak
"Wha . . . what are you doing in here?" she shouted.
Zidane smiled. "I heard you wanted to see the world, but you're real sick."
Garnet could only nod. How did this boy get in her room?
"Well Garnet. I'm Zidane, and although I cant show you the world, will you settle for Alexandria?" He jumped from the sill and threw the cloak on the bed.
Garnet stared at it for a few minutes, then back at Zidane.
"Really?" she whispered. Zidane nodded.
"How?"
* * *
"I . . . have to climb down that?" Garnet said, shocked. Somehow, Zidane had created a haggard staircase of rope, boxes and planks to the girl's window, and was about to find out how strong it really was.
"Don't worry," he said. "Just grab the rope. It should swing you to the boxes. After that, it's plain sailing."
She looked at the boy she'd only known a few minutes. "Are you sure?" she asked.
When he nodded again, Garnet took a deep breath, and grabbed the rope.
* * *
"AHHH!" she shrieked, as she glided hundreds of feet in the air. She'd never felt more alive. As she let go, she plummeted to the boxes, in a not so graceful landing. A few seconds later, Zidane joined her.
"Bet you never did something like that in there" he laughed. "Are you ready?"
Garnet dusted the cloak he'd let her borrow to hide who she was.
"Lets go!"
* * *
It was one of the most memorable nights in both children's lives. Zidane had spent most of the day learning his way around Lindblum, and showed off all the towns' best spots. Garnet tried the specials in the bar that her mother thought were too 'common' for her to have, she played Tetra Master with several teens (she was actually pretty good), and even entered several shops. To Zidane's surprise, she'd never been shopping in her life, and somehow got conned into letting her borrow some money.
They finally wound up at the church near the docks. Although both were tired, they climbed the bell tower, and watched the sun begin to rise.
Zidane was resting against a support when Garnet leaned on him. Surprised, he looked to see she had fallen asleep. Smiling, he tried to move without waking her, but to no avail. She woke up as he started moving.
"Huh?" she asked sleepily. "What's going on?"
"We'd better get you back" he explained. "Think you can get down the ladder?"
She nodded. "But you should go first. In case I fall asleep again."
Zidane nodded.
* * *
No one was in the square when the two walked through. They reached the moat that surrounded the castle, and Garnet handed Zidane back his cloak.
"Thank you Zidane" she said. "I've never had so much fun. I . . . " she stopped and coughed again.
"Its okay" Zidane said. "I'm glad you had fun. Hey, when you get better, I'll show you all of Gaia. That's a promise!"
Garnet smiled wistfully. 'If only he knew' she thought.
Suddenly, a familiar clanking could be heard, and Steiner ran onto the scene, alone with a feminine soldier.
"Princess Garnet!" she called.
"It's that boy again!" Steiner cried. "I knew it. You kidnapped the Princess! I'll lock you away and throw away the key for the distress you caused the queen!"
"That's my cue to leave!" shouted Zidane, and bolted into the abandoned square. He was so preoccupied; he didn't notice Princess Garnet collapse to the ground . . .
* * *
One week later . . .
"Have you heard the news?"
"Yeah! They say Princess Garnet's all better now!"
"It was pretty close for a while there."
Zidane sighed, and drank the ale he'd swiped off a table in the bar. He needed something strong.
"But they say her memory's completely gone."
"Yeah, repressed memories, or amnesia. Think she'll be okay?"
"She's young. She has all the time in the world to remember."
As the men walked away, Zidane looked up at the castle. If he looked close enough, he could see a figure in Garnets bedroom.
'Garnet' he thought. 'You've completely forgotten what happened. You probably don't even remember your dreams. But at least you have people around you that can help you remember."
Zidane finished the drink, and wiped his mouth.
'But I promised I'd show you the world. And I intend to keep that promise' he thought.
Just then, a group of young female nobles passed him, giggling at the small boy. As they past, his face broke out into a grin.
'Of course, that doesn't mean I cant have some fun beforehand' he said to himself. 'Besides, I gotta eat right?'
With that, he walked after the girls.
To be continued . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
This chapter was completely impulsive. I realised that the real Garnet died when she was about 6 (the same age Zidane is at the moment), and the whole chapter was created during my study period. I was originally going to have him meet Dagger, but it didn't work out. Oh, and I'm sorry if Steiner was out of character in the appearances he made, but once again, he's a character I don't use often. Its really annoying cause my team usually consists of Zidane, Garnet, Vivi and Eiko, none of which are really that useful when it comes to prequels.
Oh, and I know I ask this all the time, but can you please check out Guardian? I know a lot of people don't check out original fics, but I've been told its good. I had to beg one of my friends to look at it, but now she wont put it down! (Ditto for my brother).
Well, that's all for now, R&R!