Chapter VIII; "Sense Of Doubt"

South Gate

"Hey." Biggs slowly whispered over to the sleeping figure that was standing besides him.

"H… huh?" Wedge woke up, somewhat startled. "Who's there!" Still half-asleep, Wedge brought up his halberd and pointed it at Biggs. "State your reason!"

Biggs sighed and slowly pushed the halberd away from his neck. "Now if you could just do that normally…"

Wedge suddenly came to and withdrew his halberd, rather embarrassed. "S… sorry."

After a moment of silence, Biggs spoke up. "There's been a lot of trouble lately."

Wedge brightened up at the sudden change of topic. He jumped on it instantly. "Oh, you mean about Burmecia? I heard they were attacked by an army of soldiers wearing pointy hats." Wedge sighed briefly. "I wanna go fight on the frontline. Instead, I'm rotting away in this stinkin' place."

Biggs looked at Wedge as if he was staring at a stranger. "Really? I don't like wars. Why would someone start a war…?"

Another moment of awkward silence passed between them. They were obviously not getting anywhere.

It was Biggs who broke the silence again. "Hey… those two girls who said they were actors… did they look suspicious to you?"

Wedge was somewhat startled at Biggs asking such a question out of the blue for a moment, but seemed to be giving some thought. He eventually shook his head sideways. "No… I don't think so."

"But weren't you the one who thought one of them looked like Queen Garnet?" Biggs asked him.

"You know me! I'm always like that!"

"Regrettably…" Biggs muttered under his breath.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Wedge asked.

"No." Biggs quickly replied.

"Oh, okay." Wedge shrugged. "Heh, I thought you were saying something about Gysahl pickles."

Biggs gave Wedge a puzzled look. "…What?"

"I'm telling you, people who eat pickles are nice people." Wedge blurted out. "Say, did you know that Gysahl pickles are the only pickles I can't eat?"

"…You're really confusing, you know that?"

"I know…" Wedge sighed. "Why do you think I ended up here?"

Biggs gave a hefty sigh. It was going to be a long day.

***

Ruby cradled the sleeping Dagger in her arms as if she was a cat. Well, she didn't cradle the entire body of Dagger, but rather her head, which curiously enough landed on her lap. Dagger was obviously tired from the long journey they had endured.

From her seat in the cable car, Ruby saw that they were arriving at the Summit Station soon. An announcement that came from the conductor soon confirmed that. Ruby gently shook Dagger from her sleep and woke her.

"Hey… the conductor is sayin' we're all arriving at the Summit Station."

"Okay…" Dagger slowly woke up from her shallow sleep and sat up. She stretched her arms as she yawned.

Ruby looked at the girl sympathetically. It was now really hard to tell if she was indeed a Queen or not anymore. But Ruby understood the tremendous weight those frail shoulders were carrying. Dagger truly believed that her country would never start a war, that it was all but an misunderstanding. But the evidence was undeniable. So all she could do was return to Alexandria and talk to this Captain Steiner fellow and everything would be all right. Ruby sincerely hoped the troubles will end there, but somehow, she doubted it.

"Summit Station! Summon Station!" the car conductor yelled, breaking Ruby's train of thought.

"Come on, sugah, let's get outta this stuffy place." Ruby pulled Dagger off the car.

"W…wait! Can you let go for a second?"

Ruby let go, and was about to ask her why when she saw Dagger walk up to the conductor and bowed. "Thank you very much."

Ruby winced. That was a bad move. The conductor, on the other hand, seemed to be startled. "Um… well… take care…" he managed.

Ruby walked up to Dagger and punched her lightly in the side. "C'mon! Ah told ya to act a bit more natural around here!"

Dagger was about to protest. "But…"

"Ah, never mind that!" Ruby turned to the conductor. "So, what do ya reckon we do now, Mr. Conductor?"

The conductor coughed a little to regain his voice. "Um, well, you'll have to wait a while until the car to Alexandria arrives."

Ruby groaned. "An' how long will that be?"

"It arrives when this car returns to Bohden Station so…" the conductor folded his fingers. "…um, about as long as you just spent in the car."

Ruby groaned again. The conductor shrugged helplessly. "Hey, don't blame me, lady. Tell you what, why don't you go wait in the rest area just up ahead?"

It seemed better than nothing, so Ruby took the suggestion. She turned away from the conductor only to notice Dagger had disappeared from her sight. Ruby scanned the vicinity only to realize that Dagger had already gone up to the observation area in the Station. She seemed to be awed.

"What's wrong, Dagger?" Ruby asked as she walked up to her. Dagger simply stood there, her hands tightly clenching the railing, her mouth wide-open in amazement, staring at the landscape that stretched as far as the horizon. Dagger tried to speak, but with her mouth locked in place, she seemed to be struggling.

Rudy chuckled softly at this. "What's the matter, cat got ya tongue?"

"R-Ruby…" Dagger finally managed.

"Hey, what did ah say about…"

"It's Alexandria! I'm home!" she finally blurted out.

Ruby stared at Dagger for a moment thinking she was nuts, but soon shrugged out the thought. It was obvious that Dagger didn't travel much… no, in fact, she hadn't traveled at all, period. Watching the view of her kingdom from the summit gave Dagger a new insight to see how large her kingdom really was. Ruby sort of felt some pride in being her guide.

"I'm home… but…" Dagger continued. "I can't still see the castle."

Ruby put a hand on her shoulder. "Dagger, Alexandria meh only be the castle to ya, but…"

Dagger looked Ruby straight in the eye and shook her finger in front of her. "Hey, are you making fun of me for being naïve?"

Ruby was a little taken back and withdrew her hand. "N-No, ah'm not…"

Dagger smiled. "It's okay. Let's go."

Ruby led Dagger to the nearby rest area to wait for the car to Alexandria. Dagger was still looking left and right with pure curiosity, and Ruby simply smiled as she led her, pointing out different things as if she really were a tour guide. Soon they went inside a nice little building with lots of seats build around the walls, with a small gift shop in the corner.

"Ah reckon this is the rest area." Ruby announced to no one in particular. "Ah'm going to gather some info while we wait, hope ya don't mind." With that Ruby left Dagger and hopped along towards the crowd of people to mingle in their conversation.

Unfazed, Dagger took a little stroll around the station, occasionally cutting into other people's conversations and picking up a few more tips on the 'commoner's language'. But soon the wait got tiring even to Dagger, and eventually she found herself in front of the gift shop attendant.

She couldn't help but ask: "When is the car to Alexandria ever going to arrive?"

"Oh, it shall be arriving shortly." the attendant replied.

As if on cue, a sound of something starting up echoed throughout the rest area. "What was that?" Dagger asked.

The attendant helped her answer that question. "Oh, it seems the car to Lindblum just departed. I think your car will arrive s-"

All of a sudden a loud voice was heard from the outside to. "I missed my ride!"

"Huh?" Oddly enough, that voice sounded strangely familiar to Dagger. She quickly thanked the attendant – this time in a casual manner – and made her ways towards the platform… only to see Marcus and Cinna on the opposite steps. Now it was her turn to be awed. "That's…"

"I missed my ride! What am I gonna do now!" Marcus shouted at Cinna, completely oblivious to the familiar face that was looking at them curiously, and another one that was struggling to get their attention and was starting to fume.

"How the heck should I know!" Cinna yelled right back at Marcus, equally oblivious. "You were the one who wanted to watch the scenery while eating South Gate Bundt Cake!"

Marcus spread out his hands as if in defeat. "Great, just great. Now I'm gonna be late returning to Lindblum..."

Cinna briefly put a comforting hand on Marcus' shoulder. "There's nothing we can do. Look, I won't tell the boss if..."

Marcus brightened, and cut off Cinna before he could finish the sentence. "Thanks, buddy!" Marcus slapped Cinna on the back. "Let's eat another bundt cake!"

"Geez..." both Marcus and Cinna then ran into the gift shop to have another round of cake. They failed, however, to take notice of the fuming character that was standing next to them and finally had reached her boiling point.

Ruby, who was standing right next to them during the entire conversation, was struggling to contain her anger of being ignored completely. "Those... guys...!" Ruby noticed Dagger standing nearby, so she flashed a quick smile and a thumbs up to Dagger. "Lemme take care of this, k?" With that Ruby stomped off to teach her 'brothers' some lessons in paying attention.

***

After what seemed like a painful eternity, Cinna finally woke up from his unconscious mind. He managed to notice that he was lying face down in the marble floor, his nose bleeding, maybe even broken. Cinna slowly rose up, clutching his nose to contain the flow of blood. Damn, Ruby sure had some good punches...

"Ya scoundrels!"

Cinna winced at the voice. Slowly, he turned to the source of the voice, only to witness Marcus forcibly having to consume another pile of bundt cake. With horror, Cinna was forced to see Marcus being fed food via Ruby's fist. With another shove of cake down his throat, Marcus reached his limits and fell down onto the floor. A shiver ran through Cinna's spine, fearing he would be next. Her beatings was one thing, but the 'food stuffing of death'... that was another thing entirely. He shivered at the thoughts, and slowly crawled away, attempting to escape.

Wishful thinking. Ruby noticed Cinna slowly slipping away and grabbed his shirt by the collar. Cinna was now helplessly dragged towards the food pile of doom that awaited him. "Noooooo!"

***

"Wasn't that a bit too excessive?" Dagger asked as she watched Ruby's handiwork.

"Ah won't worry if ah were you. These fella's are used to these kinda stuff." Ruby replied with a snicker as she proceeded to tie her two 'brothers' up with a rope. Satisfied with her handiwork, she then grabbed the two and literally heaved them out of the gift shop.

Marcus was the first to wake up to stare right into Ruby's frightening face. "Ahhh! Have some mercy!"

"Have you learned your lesson then?" Ruby was reading her fist to launch another blow.

"Yes! I do! I swear I won't ignore you anymore! Please! No more cake!"

"Much better." With that, Ruby drew the larger of her crossbows and aimed it right at Marcus.

"W-What are you…!"

Ruby fired her crossbow. The arrow just narrowly missed Marcus and Cinna, but tore through the ropes that binded them together. With the rope gone, they both fell to a heap on the floor. Cinna was still unconscious, but Marcus managed to stand up although rather difficulty.

"Geez… will you at least warn me before you pull off stunts like that?"

"What, ya didn't trust in mah skills?" Ruby replied rather sarcastically.

"That's not the point…"

Ruby simply smiled at her comrade. "Ah know, ah know. Don't worry, ya know ah can't even hurt a fly."

Marcus simply rolled his eyes at the comment. "Right. So anyway, what brings you two here?" he said, noticing Dagger behind her. "Are you trying to sneak back into Alexandria or something?"

"Ya hit it right on the nose."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You serious? I mean, after that 'incident' we went through, we're wanted criminals back there now."

Ruby was slightly surprised, but her face registered no such emotion. "That's what ah thought… but, think about it, who wouldn't after what we all did?"

"I suppose so…" Marcus scratched his head.

"What about ya guys? You headin' back to the hideout in Lindblum?"

"I was, but Cinna's going to Treno."

"Hm? Really, what for?"

Marcus was about to explain, but was cut off abruptly when the announcement rang through the vicinity. "The cable car to Alexandria has arrived! All those who wish to board should do so now!"

"Ah, its here!" Marcus crouched down and shook the still unconscious Cinna. "Cinna! Wake up Cinna! The ride's here!"

Ever so slowly, Cinna was shaken from his slumber and woke into the real world. The first thing his eyes registered was the face of a smiling Ruby.

Cinna screamed, as if seeing the devil herself.

***

"Alright then, good luck!" Marcus waved at his brother and his company as they were about to depart.

Cinna gave him a thumbs up and the best smile his ugly face can muster. "Yeah! I'll save our loot!"

With that, the cable car door closed shut, and started to move away from the summit station. Cinna waddled his way over to the closest chair available and simply collapsed on top of it, his loyal hammer by its side. He was completely drained after his rather embarrassing girlish scream and Ruby's food torture of death. He slightly shuddered when Ruby and Dagger picked chairs relatively close to him, and silence dominated the company for a short period of time.

Dagger was the first to break the ice. "So, why are you going to Treno, Cinna?"

"…To save our loot." Cinna barely managed to say through his mumbles.

Ruby stood up and pointed a finger rather threateningly at Cinna. "Ah geez, sit up! Yer not that old!"

"Y-yes ma'am!" With renewed vigor, he hastily regained his composition and sat up. Ruby smiled, satisfied with her ever so sharp commanding voice, and sat back down.

"Now." Ruby demanded. "Tell us."

Cinna cleared his throat. "You see, when we all escaped from Evil Forest, we left behind all the possessions on Prima Vista. Including the bounty we… uh, if you will excuse my rudeness, your majesty…" he bowed to Dagger. "…the bounty we 'lifted' from the guests in the play is now all petrified."

Dagger chuckled.

"Hey, it's not that funny! All of our hard-earned gil from the job is now totally useless!"

"So, what ah ya gonna do about it?" Ruby asked.

"I was getting to that. Anyway, we've been gathering information to cure the purification on the Prima Vista and its cargo. We've finally learned about an item called Supersoft that cures all forms of petrifaction in a large radius. So, the plan was to use that on the ship, and claim what is rightfully mine."

"Not just yours, ya thief!" Ruby pounded her fist on a chair nearby which sent Cinna a few feet in the air. "Some of that loot belongs to me!"

"Eeep! Sorry!"

"What about Marcus?" Dagger asked.

"Marcus is going to the Tantalus hideout in Lindblum to tell the others."

Dagger simply nodded. "I see…"

"Anyway…" Cinna shifted his position in his chair. "I think its about time I ask my own questions about you two."

"Yes?"

Cinna looked around quickly before asking. "Where's Blank?"

Ruby simply snorted. "We separated in Lindblum. Ah got rid of him as soon as we got there."

Cinna laughed at her comment. "Oh come on, Ruby. I know you better than that. Her majesty here probably wanted some adventure, and when she asked you to baby-sit her, you jumped at the opportunity to get away from him, right?"

Dagger didn't miss Ruby blush at Cinna's analysis, even if it lasted for less than a millisecond.

Ruby turned her head away. "H-how can ya say that? It's only because Blank keeps treating me as if ah was a child! Ah don't care about him, one bit."

Cinna smiled as he shrugged. "Fine, then I don't know anything."

"Say, Cinna…" Dagger started.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Please, stop calling me that. It's rather embarrassing…"

"Um, okay then, yes… uh… Dagger was it?"

Dagger nodded. "Yes, well… um, is there any way I can help?"

Cinna was taken aback. "Help? Help with what?"

"Well… I was partly responsible for what happened, so…"

"Your maje… I mean, Dagger, I really appreciate that, but no thanks. I'll be okay on my own."

"But wouldn't it be better if-" Dagger was suddenly cut short when the cable car suddenly lurched forward to make a complete stop.

"Wh-what was that?" Cinna exclaimed, looking around nervously.

The conductor of car was fast to react. "Everyone, please stay calm! It might just be the engine acting up again… please remain in your seats while I check what's wrong with it." Gathering up his toolkit, the conductor walked outside, only to hear him scream in terror shortly thereafter.

"Ahhhhhh! It's a demon!" The conductor, as fast as he reacted, came back in. "A demon with a pointy hat!"

"A pointy hat, ya say!?" Ruby took a glance at Dagger, and nodded to each other in silent agreement. Ruby grabbed her crossbows she had strapped onto her back, and Dagger pulled out her scepter as they both ran outside. Cinna, still confused, scooped up his hammer and hurried off after the ladies.

"Hey, what's wrong!? What's going… on…" Cinna stopped dead in his tracks, as he began to see a most peculiar creature. It was the strangest being he had ever seen, and the thing was stumbling in front of him, seemingly in pain. The closest thing it resembled was a scarecrow, but it was totally obvious that that wasn't the case. This thing was alive, moving, staggering, and clutching its staff in such a death grip Cinna could see the bark of the staff actually giving away. It wore a straw hat that hid his face in darkness except for its sinister yellow eyes. And to top it off, it had black wings sprouting behind its back. It was as it were… the scarecrow of death. It sent a shiver down Cinna's spine as he continued to look at the abomination.

Then, it mumbled something. "Mission… terminate… Kuja… kill… retrieve… queen… alive…"

"I-is that thing the one we saw on the cargo ship?" Dagger asked Ruby.

"Yeah, it is!" Ruby loaded her two crossbows, prepared for anything. "That monster! Ah'll finish you off this time!"

"Wait, Ruby!" She took a step towards the monster. "Tell me something! Why do you want to capture me?"

"Dagger!" Ruby shouted. "It's way too dangerous! Stand back!"

The black mage of evil continued to mumble. "Mission… terminate… and… retrieve…"

Cinna was now fully aware of the upcoming danger. He steadied his hammer. "It's no use! It doesn't understand!"

Dagger was about to protest and turned to Ruby. "But-"

"Eliminate… all!"

Suddenly, the black mage spread its wings and flew up into air, and allying itself with gravity, charged right at Dagger.

"Dagger! Look out!"

Dagger had barely enough time to look behind her to see the charging menace, but Ruby was there to push her away as she took the blow instead of her. A horrifying cracking sound was heard as the Black Waltz slammed the staff straight into Ruby's chest. Ruby stood her ground for a brief moment, but she eventually lost her balance and was smashed into the nearby boulder.

"Ruby!" Cinna shouted as he saw his comrade slammed into the rock. "Dammit, you bastard!" Cinna charged at the Waltz, his hammer raised high, and slammed the metal object right onto its head. Strangely, the wizard didn't even attempt to dodge, and simply took Cinna's attack as it just stood there. Cinna felt the hammer connect and the wizard staggered, and jumped back expecting a counter blow from the monster… but it never came. It just… stood there.

"W-what's wrong with that thing? It took my hammer, but it's as if it's not noticing me attack!"

"Cinna!" Dagger shouted. "This may be our chance! Distract him while I help Ruby!"

"Gotcha! Let's see if this will make you pay attention! Yaaaaa!"

But this time, the Waltz was ready. The wizard of darkness opened its palm towards the ugly creature charging towards it, and conjured up the power of magic bestowed upon it by its master. The power came seeping through its fingertips, and started to burn.

"Fira."

It was only a whisper, but the command of magic was absolute. Released from the deep confines of its user's soul, the fireball was released. It connected squarely, and much like his previous victim, the creature was thrown backward with such a force the pathetic human slammed into the cable car. The Waltz looked away before it saw the glass of the cable car shatter upon impact. What did it feel… pain? It was actually capable of pain? Regret? What was this feeling? Why did it feel so… sad?

The Waltz turned towards its last target, towards the object of its existence itself - the Queen of Alexadrea. She was cradling her injured friend, desperately trying to save her injuries. Yes, it was sent here to retrieve her… kill Kuja…the queen… Kuja… the queen…

The wizard suddenly clutched its head in pain. Why? Why now? What did he… she… did it even have a gender? Why was it thinking such things? This was not happening!

Dagger could only watch as Cinna was thrown back with ease by the awesome powers of the wizard. She was already casting curative magic over Ruby's broken, but still breathing - thank Gaia - body, but she didn't know if she could keep this up. It would still take time to heal Ruby fully. If the Black Waltz attacked them now, they would be powerless. Dagger closed her eyes, praying that she would have a merciful end.

But like how it reacted to Cinna's attack before, the Black Waltz simply stood there, unresponsive as ever. It was certainly acting strange. It was evident that it had become stronger than before, with its soul consumed by utter rage and hatred. But instead of hovering over them giving them speeches as typical villains do before trying to kill their opponents, it was on its knees, clutching its head. It was as if it were… suffering?

Suddenly, Ruby's body in Dagger's arms moved. Dagger had barely enough time to be happy knowing her friend was cured as Ruby's eyes flew open and shook off Dagger's hold. She stood up, and in one fluid motion of a professional, she held up her crossbow and aimed the weapon at the Black Waltz. "…Take this!" Ruby spat out.

"No, Ruby, wait!"

It was too late. The crossbow fired, the arrow flying dead on to its intended target. This time the Black Waltz was not prepared, as it helplessly watched the arrow cleanly tear its left wing off. The Waltz screeched painfully as it clutched its left shoulder in pain, attempting to hold back the steady flow of black blood oozing out of the wound. It soon realized that it was slowly starting to faint, as its vision started to darken and lights were flashing before its eyes.

So, that was it then? Was this the sole reason it had existed? Why did it even bother to exist when it could not even accomplish the purpose it was created for? It had always believed that without the suffering of others, it was nothing.

But… perhaps this was for the best, the Waltz decided as the last of its consciousness started to slowly drift away. Even during its short span of existence, it had already caused enough suffering to last a dozen lifetimes. If fate were to prolong its existence, it would only cause more suffering. It smirked briefly; taking in the realization that it was about to die. This was for the best, it decided. It had no regrets.

The Waltz started to close its eyes to surrender itself eternal darkness, only to be disturbed by the soft feel of White Magic. Someone was healing it? It slowly opened its eyes, only to see… the queen?

Ruby's eyes nearly bulged out of her sockets as Dagger slowly approached the Black Waltz, not only kneeling in front of the wizard but she also started to cast curative magic over it! "Dagger! What in the blazes of seven hells ya think you're doin'? Stay back! It might still be dangerous!"

"Don't worry, Ruby." Dagger replied, rather confidently. "I know…"

Ruby straightened herself and put her hands on her hip. "Ya know what?" she demanded.

"I-I don't know…" Dagger struggled with her words. "But I'm sure about this… trust me."

Ruby gave up. Although they had been with each other for only a short time, Ruby already knew enough about Dagger, and once she made up her mind it was impossible to change it. So she proceeded to do the next best thing and walked over to Cinna to help him up. It was so ironic, she thought, that Dagger was actually curing the thing that was just about to kill them all!

The Black Waltz, still lying on the ground, watched the queen in awe. "…Why?" It finally spoke up. "Why are you saving me?"

"I wanted to ask you a question."

"…That is all?" The yellow eyes looked away. "I deserved to die. After what I have done…"

"Nothing deserves to die."

The yellow eyes turned back to stare at queen. It laughed for a brief moment. "Even a monster like me?"

Dagger didn't hesitate. "No, not even you." The Waltz's laughter died down, and continued to let itself be cured in silence.

The healing process didn't take long, and Dagger's spell soon finished. She slowly moved away from the Waltz as it regained its composure and stood up once more. Actually, now that Dagger was up close to it, she noticed that the height difference between her and the black mage was only minimal, with the mage slightly taller than her. Before, when it had attacked them on the cargo ship, Dagger had thought that it was much larger, but now that she thought about it, perhaps it was because of the sheer presence and force the mage exhibited. Now there wasn't a shred of that left in the Black Waltz anymore, and she felt it looked so weak, so much in pain.

The Black Waltz flexed his now single remaining wing, grunting slightly in disgust. It then turned towards the queen. "What was it that you wanted to ask?"

Dagger, still slightly nervous, gathered up her courage and walked up to it. "What did you want to do with me?"

Is stayed silent for a while. Then, ever so faintly, it answered. "…Do you not know the answer?"

At that moment, Cinna and Ruby walked up to the two and looked at them with questioning looks. "Are you a black mage?" Cinna asked.

The Waltz nodded.

"Wasn't Burmecia attacked by an army of black mage soldiers?" Cinna continued to interrogate the black mage.

Dagger winced at the comment, but the Waltz continued to remain silent.

"So, it was those damn mages like him that wiped out the people of Burmecia!" Ruby sneered. "How can ya trust it so easily, Dagger?"

Now it was Dagger's turn to be silent.

Cinna scratched his head. "But… who would do such a thing?"

Ruby rolled her eyes again. "C'mon Cinna! Ya gotta be serious! Just how ignorant can ya be!?"

"Stop it Ruby…" Dagger said, her head hanging downwards as she were about to cry. "…I know who did it."

Ruby immediately regretted ever mentioning those words. "A-ah'm sorry Dagger. Ah didn't, ah mean, uh…" she lost her train of thought, and decided to shut up before she did anymore damage.

"We're almost in Alexandria…" Dagger continued to speak to no one in particular. "I must go to the castle and see Steiner… he'll listen to me. He must."

Ruby nodded in agreement. "Ah reckon we need to head back to the cable car. Those folks over there will need an explanation. An' a good one at that, too" Ruby tilted her head towards the direction of the inhabitants of the cable car. They were all staring at them, their mouths hanging open in awe at what they just witnessed.

"Um, sorry to butt in and all…" Cinna said rather sheepishly. "But… what are we going to do with him?" Cinna pointed his finger towards the Black Waltz, who had turned its back towards all of them, staring off into the distance to nowhere in particular.

It didn't take Dagger even a second to reach to her conclusion. "We're talking him with us."

Now it was their turn to have their mouths hanging open. Even the Black Waltz flinched a little when it heard the queen's decision.

"Wha-what are ya sayin' Dagger! Ah mean, healing that monster was one thin', but takin' him with us!? Ya've gotta be outta yer mind!"

Dagger ignored Ruby's outburst, and instead approached the Black Waltz in a casual manner. "Do you have a name?" Dagger asked as Ruby and Cinna argued over their current situation.

The Black Waltz, however unresponsive as it was, was surprisingly quick to give an answer. "I have no name, your majesty. I am simply known as the Black Waltz, the third of its kind."

"That is sufficient." Dagger responded in a tone that was rather filled with authority. "I shall hereby refer to you as Waltz. Now come."

Dagger started to walk away from the mage, but before she knew it the Waltz caught her wrist and prevented her from going any further. A shiver ran down through her spine, but she immediately calmed when she looked into his eyes. They were not filled with hatred nor rage, but rather, sadness.

"Why are you doing this to me, your majesty? I have hurt you; I have even attempted to kill you. Yet why do you wish to have me by your side?"

"Because then you will not have a reason to exist." she replied.

"Excuse me?"

"You mumbled to yourself, that you have been created to rescue the queen, and kill Kuja." Dagger paused. "I wish to find out why, Waltz, so that is why I cannot have you die."

Waltz released his grip on the queen, and nearly had to use all of his willpower not to look away in shame. "But I only exist to kill! Why should I continue to exist when I have failed to accomplish the very task that I was created for?"

"That is not true." Dagger replied firmly. "Everyone has a reason to exist, but one should not be denied of existence when their reasons have been erased. One can always find another reason, or even deny their original reasons for existence." Dagger paused again, eyes looking slightly away. "Just like me. I believe you can, too."

Waltz was now staring at the ground. "Is this… what is means to be human?"

"Yes."

Waltz looked at the young queen straight in the eyes, showing signs of doubt. "…We shall see about that."

Dagger sighed. "Very well… have it your way. But until that day comes, you shall accompany me, do you understand?"

"Very well, your majesty." Waltz kneeled down in front of Queen Garnet Til Alexandros the 17th. "Until that day comes, I shall accompany you, to see if I truly do have another reason for my existence."

"You will find your answer, I promise you." Dagger couldn't help but smile as she replied. "Now, let us go. Our home awaits."

The now-former scarecrow of death nodded in agreement and followed Dagger back to the cable car, much to the amazement of Ruby and Cinna.

***

"I think we're almost there." Dagger announced as she caught the glimpse of the base station that was rapid approaching them.

"…Uh, so, you already heard about the attack on Burmecia?" Cinna asked nervously. Who wouldn't be, especially if the enemy that tried to kill you was sitting right next to you? Cinna took a quick glance at Waltz, still amazed at how Dagger had tamed their enemy and turned them into their ally – well, a temporary ally anyway.

Dagger, on the other hand, laughed at Cinna's question. "Of course, I'm not that ignorant you know."

"Some say ignorance is bliss." Waltz mumbled.

"Did you say something, Waltz?" Dagger shot a questioning look at the single-winged black mage.

"Not at all."

Ruby giggled at the exchange. "Ya've changed, Dagger."

"Me? You mean the way I talk?"

Ruby smiled in response. "Not just that."

Dagger shrugged. "Well… a lot has happened. Oh, speaking of which, Cinna?"

"Y-yeah, what is it?"

"I've been through tons of battles. I'm a seasoned pro now!"

Cinna didn't know how to take this sudden boasting by the Queen of Alexandria. "W-what are you talking about?"

"We need to find the Supersoft to save your ship and your cargo, right?"

Cinna sighed. "You're going to come along, even if I refuse, right?"

"Of course I am!" Dagger smiled. "This is so exciting! I've always wanted to see the marvelous architecture of Treno. I can hardly wait!"

Heh, on second thought, maybe she hasn't changed much, Ruby thought to herself.

Suddenly, the cable car lurched itself to a stop. The conductor rose from his seat, and made the announcement everyone was dying – almost too literally – to hear. "We have arrived! Take care, everyone! The road splits up ahead from here, right to reach Treno, and left to reach Dali. Good luck!"

The awkward party of four promptly got off, not even pausing to look behind. Everyone was tired, each with their own various reasons. Dagger was dying to have a shower; Ruby wanted to check if she had spilled any more blood on her dress; Cinna needed to go to the bathroom, the after-effects of the 'stuffing of death' finally kicking in; and Waltz needed to stretch is wing as he was already suffering phantom pains from the missing wing.

Regardless, the party moved rather enthusiastically, towards their newest destination - Treno.