Disclaimer: I don't own LoD or the characters except For Aileana and Aireana!! I also do not own 'If you still believe…' It's by the wonderful people who sing it and whoever wrote it.
And I don't own any characters named later in my end-of-chapter-INSANITY!!!!!
Chapter 11
I Still Believe
A/N: Try not to let my story be perfect to the game. I changed it up a bit to my liking! And things will definitely be wrong and a bit confusing since I skip ahead on many parts…but you'll understand!! Oh and since I doubt everyone fights in battles I'll take up battle time with side conversations!!!!
( )= what I have to say
= whispering
[ ]= are thoughts
*~*~*~*~ is new section
The fight had been going on for some time. The Embryo had changed forms twice already and they weren't sure if they were even making a dent in its life support, not that it was an exciting thing to do because well, someone they cared deeply about was part of that being right now…
"Give up! It's futile!" She bubbled from the creature. Her laughter was so cold that it gave them all chills.
It wasn't her, it couldn't be her. No, the one inside the Embryo wasn't the same girl who had won the heart and saved the life of a strong knight, she wasn't the girl who was the king's sister, and she wasn't the girl who would turn a grim moment to something silly and happy. She definitely wasn't the girl who had no problem with finding out she was the 'black monster' and knowing her harsh past. She wasn't the girl who befriended her and probably understood her better than the others.
No, Another being had been inhibiting her body and it hurt her to death knowing that once the body was destroyed the soul would have no place to go and… she was practically killing the only person who understood her and treated her like a person, not a being that has lived for a thousand years. The thought made a single tear fall from her eyes and Melbu Frahma transformed for a third time.
"Hmm??" The Being inhibiting Aileana's body couldn't help but notice the single tear. She felt Aileana stirring inside, resisting the power.
"Look." Lavitz stared at the girl on top of the creature. "Something is wrong." He looked at Aileana's body shake and shudder letting out a huge amount of power.
"You can't have your body back!!!" The Mistress shrieked and for a minute it seemed like Melbu Frahma was getting the life sucked out of him.
There seemed to be an internal conflict going on and Melbu Frahma was paying the price. A Final attack from the girl who seemed to mimic Dart's attacks killed off Melbu Frahma himself, but the power surge coming from the mistress had caused the Embryo to transform one more time; only this time a black cloud erupted enshrouding the entire being. This gave the Dragoons time to heal them. When the cloud vanished the body of Melbu Frahma hit the ground in several places at once to everyone's surprise.
"Oh Soa…" Shana looked as if she was going to toss her cookies all over the place. Suddenly an aura erupted from all the pieces on the ground and floated upward. They looked up at the being that had been once considered the Virage Embryo, but now it was a being that looked much like an ordinary Virage except the aura leaving Melbu Frahma's body was being absorbed into the beast's body and lavender marking covered it and it began to glow.
"I told you. You all would die here!!!" A voice rumbled and the glow took on a violet color and an attack was used on them… Death Dimension. The Damage hit the group with GREAT damage… more than what Rose's Death Dimension can do. It wiped out the energy of the three fighters leaving them took weak to stand.
"Aileana stop it!!!" Lavitz stood in front of the three who were fighting. Everyone looked at him as if he had inherited Aileana's insanity. Another wave of attack had been sent but he took it full force.
"Lavitz, she isn't there anymore. Get out the way before you get killed!"
"You're wrong…" Lavitz stood. "She in there… I know she is." He stood up weapon ready this time. Without hesitation Miranda and Albert were by his side.
Without hesitation another battle ensued and this time the three fighting fought with all of their hearts and souls poured into it. They had already pulled Shana off to the side lines as well as Dart, Aireana, and Rose. The battle was rough for all three of the fighters. To fight a half sister, a foster sister and the love of your life only to have one or more of you die in the end… it's heartbreaking.
"Aileana…" Shana moaned out a bit leaning against Dart who was now healing himself. "Aileana, don't let the power consume you…" The voice wasn't Shana's voice at all but one that made the attack Aile was about to unleash stop. Shana stood and in a gentle motherly voice she spoke again. "Please stop it, my child." The Mistress raised an eyebrow at the woman before getting ready to turn her attack on the female.
"Shana!" Dart was ready to get her but was held back by Rose.
"I'm sorry things turned out this way, honey, I really am. You shouldn't have to endure this pain nor should your friends." Shana's words continued. "But you are much stronger than I was to handle it. You are lucky to even be able to be aware of what you're doing, I would have not."
"Aware of what you're doing?" The words left the giganto's mouth without hesitation.
"It's like being stuck behind a glass window and your body is doing whatever it pleases." Shana spoke and tears seemed to fall from the girl's eyes. "See… you can defeat this power. The power feeds off of your loneliness and sadness, but look at your friends… you can see that you aren't alone nor are you sad anymore." Shana spoke once more before falling to the floor holding her chest. "Yes, you can have your body back Shana… Just remember that…"She paused and glanced at Albert and Aireana. "…Albert, Aireana, and Aileana… I love you." The words left her mouth and Shana seemed a bit shaken up.
"No!!! You can't!!!" The mistress yelled banging herself in the head with her own hands… but then her gaze fell upon each person in the group with tears shining over the brim. First she glanced at Shana and Dart as a memory flashed through the mistress' mind.
"WOW!!! Look at the flowers!!!" Shana and Aile said "Humph" They turned away then turned back "I'm sorry" All done at the same time.
"IS that all it took??" Dart Said…"Flowers"
Then she looked over at Kongol and yet another memory flashed through her mind..
"Wow Kongol… why do you talk in broken sentences all the time then?."
"Well Emperor Doel liked to seem intelligent and superior to the civilians of his castle and the city of Kazas and I thought it would bruise his ego if I showed to him that the one creature in his side of the kingdom that he tried to keep stupid enough to do what he says is actually intelligent… and I do it out of Habit." Kongol explained.
Then it was Haschel
"Yeah… but Rose does have that certain mysterious charm… and that figure…and the hair that you want to run your finger through…"
"HASCHEL!!!" Everyone yelled as Shana started on a new set of tears.
"Haschel that wasn't nice… Now I want you to go back you spot on this ship and stay there until you've thought about what you've done!!!!!" Aile yelled.
"Yes…" Haschel walked away like a kid put in time out. Everyone blinked in astonishment.
" I didn't think that would work…"
More tears seemed to fall when she looked at the giganto…
"... So since you're actually intelligent like that know any great poems or anything??"
"No I still never learned how to read…"
"I'll teach you someday but I know a good one."
"Ok then you will have to tell it to me…"
"I think she's coming through…" Rose uttered out watching a warm smile cross her face as she looked at Meru.
"Stupid girl…" She whispered but the mistress once again attempted to take over losing balance sending her staggering into the wall of rocks behind her making some fall. "STOP WITH ALL THE VOICES!!" The Mistress continued to struggle for control as a memory of the hyper Wingly came to mind.
"You remind me of Aileana…" The platinum haired girl said and looks up at the sky oblivious to the fact everyone stopped and looked at her at the sound of Aile's name. "I wonder where she is anyway…"
"Um She as a new group of friends... and suddenly came across an old friend and doesn't recognize the face much…"
"You know this girl Aile?" Dart asked the girl turned around real fast
"Aile-ail??"
"Aile-Ail?!?!" The group said together confused
"M-M-MERU?!?!?!? OMG IT IS YOU!!!!!" Aile threw her arms around the girl…
"No!!!!" The voice of the mistress screamed, destroying more of the area surrounding her. "Stop interfering!!!" The light around the Virage embryo, which had been controlled by the mistress now, had died out and more debris seemed to be falling.
"What's going on?" Shana asked.
"She's rejecting the power." Zeig stood up shakily and without hesitation Rose was by his side to support him. He looked at her and a silent vow had been made between them.
"No…" Miranda said watching the embryo disappear and Aileana's body fell from a great height only to be covered by debris immediately after. Rose and Zeig broke their stare and closed their eyes. Rose lowered her head to keep from looking at the group.
"You all must go if you expect to survive." She spoke slowly taking a sideways glance at Lavitz who seemed to have every last nerve in his body petrified. Those with Dragoon spirits transformed, but Dart hesitated.
"It's not fair… we barely got to know each other, Father." He said watching Rose and him head straight into the collapsing area to rest peacefully. Dart transformed with his newly acquired Dragoon spirit and he grabbed Shana and Aireana (a.k.a Laurie) while Albert went and grabbed his long time friend who seemed stunned to no end. Everyone looked at the place each wanting to grieve because of one person who touched a major spot in all of their hearts was gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
Albert was sitting at his throne next to his new beloved wife who was now starting to show how far along she was with bearing his child. He gently ran his fingers through her hair before placing a loving kiss upon her cheek. A Gentle sigh escaped his lips proving his distress once more and she stopped reading to him from a book he chose.
"You still miss her?" Emille asked placing her hand upon the stomach that barely stuck out proving she indeed was going to have a child.
"I barely knew her, yet I knew her inside-out and upside-down." He said earning a smile out of her.
"If she's as happy as I remember her I'm sure she'd want you to move on happily with your life."
"That's something Lavitz seems to need to understand."
"Your Majesty..." A servant appeared. "A loud and violet woman has appeared at the castle doors wishing to see you in person."
"I don't care if he's ion the bath I need to see him in person!!" A Voice yelled bringing a gentle smile to Albert's face.
"Let her in before she kills someone." He said and the servant left and Miranda entered the room. "What a pleasant surprise."
"It is…" She looked at Emille with a smile. "Is she able to travel?" She noted the state of the woman.
"Why?" Albert asked.
"Well, Wink wants to invite you to her wedding and she requested that all of those who traveled with the dragoons be there." Miranda explained. "There will be a memorial service for those lost along the journey."
"A Joyous moment and a sad one at the same time…?"
"It was a request from her… and Lloyd." Miranda revealed to bring a perplexed look to Albert's face. "Yes he did survive indeed, but please come."
"Let's go…" Emille said grasping Albert's hand. "You'll finally get the closure you've been searching for." Albert searched her face before nodding.
"We'll be there, but Lavitz…"
"Don't worry about him… I'll be visiting him next…" Miranda said her good-byes and left the palace and headed towards the Slambert's household.
"Lavitz… I brought you lunch…" His mother knocked on the door pulling his attention from the window to his bedroom. He gave his mother a gentle smile before accepting the food.
"I don't see how you put up with me, mom." He gently sipped the soup.
"Well, it was a first love… and a true love so the pain of course would be twice as painful." She said sitting on his bed. "She really was something special wasn't she?"
"She was…" He said. "I…"
"Never felt more complete? Never wanted anything more to protect her from anything, keep her forever and cherish every moment and the time you did have together felt almost unreal?" His mother asked. "You felt as if it all was a dream, one that shouldn't ever have to end… one that deserves to be remembered forever?"
"Exactly..." He glanced back out of the window. "She was perfect. Everything about her and being with her made things easier to go through and deal with. Even when I first met her there was that instant attraction. It was strange, because it had been my fault for not looking at where I was going, but I couldn't help but be drawn to her… there was something amazing about the being behind the half wingly thing."
"Then that's even more the reason why you should come with King Albert and Queen Emille to Mille Seaseau." A foreign voice caught his ear and he looked up and saw Miranda there with her hands on her hips. "Don't look so pleased to see me."
"I'm sorry; I didn't expect to see you."
"Its fine
neither had Haschel, Aireana, Meru, Dart, Shana, Kongol, Albert and his
beautiful wife." Miranda said. "Anyway I was sent here to see you personally by
Lloyd. Somehow he managed to survive and is now marrying my sister Wink. It
would be much appreciated if you were there especially for the
Memorial service for those lost on the journey." Miranda blurted it all out at
once.
"I'll take the tray." Mrs. Slambert grabbed the tray with an empty bowl and left the room.
"I can't…"
"Can't or won't?" Miranda asked. "It's been nearly a year and you're still mourning like it happened yesterday. I'd hate to say it but you know she'd want you to get on with your life!" She all but yelled but the sting of her hand proved how loud she really wanted to yell. "She was much too happy to let many things gloom her out and that's how she thought everyone should live. It was a possibility we all knew would happen. We all figured one or more of us would've gotten caught in there with our lives and we took it! Up until the last moment when she was still all there she tried to keep our spirits up and you know that. Just come for her father's sake." Miranda put an envelope on his bed and walked out of the room as calm as anything.
**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*
(Mille Seaseau)
"It's wonderful being back here to see the palace!" Shana spun in a circle proving how happy she was to be back in the crystal palace and in a beautiful blue dress again, before grabbing Dart's hand. "You look nice. I'm glad you dressed up for the occasion" She said watching him frown in his suit.
"I'm glad you like it…" Dart said partly regretting that he never really spent a lot of time in the palace.
"It's great to see that some things don't change… like the love between you two." An elderly voice spoke
"Haschel and Kongol, you both made it!" Both Dart and Shana greeted the two.
"Don't forget me!" Aireana grinned from the perch she had upon Kongol's shoulder wearing a pretty red dress while Kongol managed to be dressed in a nice robe set that seemed to match Aireana's. Haschel on the other hand wore robes that were all in purple and white.
"Aireana, it's great to see you again." Dart greeted the girl who had been raised to be his sister. "You look well."
"Yeah well it happens when you live in a place like Rouge." She said.
"Why am I not surprised you followed Kongol there?" Albert's voice rang out from behind the group talking. Currently he was standing there in an outfit similar to the one he wore on the journey only it was white and silver and Emille's dress was green trimmed in silver.
"Followed?!?! I did no such thing, Albee!" She said wincing a moment realizing she brought up old memories.
"So, ummm… Where's Lavitz…" Shana quickly changed the subject.
"I came if that's what you meant." Lavitz appeared at Albert's side in one of his outfits proving he had a high rank as a knight. Everyone seemed to smile when he arrived. Meru and Guaraha showed up next and amazingly Meru was quiet… and pouting.
"It's because she's all covered up for once." Guaraha provided.
"Glad you all made it." Miranda said making everyone gape.
"You're wearing a dress?!?!"
"Yes, I'm wearing a dress… But it has to be done for reasons later to be revealed, now go sit before the wedding sits." Miranda took a tone with full warning in it meaning she'd whip out the scary slapping hand if they don't move.
The wedding had been a beautiful ceremony despite the fact that it was still unbelievable that Lloyd did manage to survive. It was amazing how much love could be seen between the two especially a couple that barely got to know each other during the whole thing, but strangely they found solace in each other. It almost reminded everyone of yet another couple who had a perfect relationship…
"FOOD! FOOD!FOOD!FOOD!" Meru was jumping around
"Not yet!" Guaraha said making Meru sit down and pout.
"I'm still mad about the dress you know."
"I know…" Guaraha sighed. "But there's the memorial service to go through." He said gently watching everyone's face grow solemn as they all snuck glances at the Knight. Lloyd made his way to the table with a small mischievous smile on his face.
"Congratulations!" Everyone said simultaneously before looking at one another then grinning.
"I'm just glad that each and every one of you was able to come." He said. "I can't really say that I'm close with all of you like my daughters have managed to do so, but it brings relief to see a familiar face during something so serious." Everyone looked almost lost at Lloyd's words. He approached Lavitz as music began to play slowly to set the mood for what was next.
"How are you holding up?" Lloyd asked.
"Fine." Lavitz sighed. "I've been better but I'll manage."
"Good, Good… just listen to me and listen well." Lloyd said as Wink walked out making some sort of introduction. "If you break her heart I will break every bone in your body while burning your flesh."
"Sir?"
"Finally I introduce the one Sacred Sister who had managed to charm everyone who knows her and seemingly cared much for by those in the kingdom… and the other who tries her best to keep it all together for us." Wink then had been drowned out by the cheers of those who live in Mille Seaseau. Wink walked away from the Mic while Miranda approached the mic soon followed by another person. Each person who had participated in the battle was in awe before checking the seat next to Kongol to make sure they weren't hallucinating… they weren't.
"Well, I guess I really don't know what to say. No matter what I say I'll wind up being ambushed by Meru." The person said brushing her short bangs out her face. Yes, her hair had been cut short in the back and curled at the top. She had a dimming scar under her left eye. "Hopefully she could hold off until after I say what I have to say. It's a bit depressing to think about it but I almost died back there." She paused. "I guess my friends could get mad for making them believe I had been dead but I can't apologize. Apologizing is not something I could do because being away from the one who means so much to me for a year is distressing enough but consciousness wouldn't return to me until recently." She said and murmurs went around the room in agreement. "I would like to thank everyone in Mille Seaseau for all the gifts that had been sent to me during this long period and thanks to those who never gave up faith that I would make it through." She waited for the applause to end as she gazed tenderly at the group of friends she had ever made.
"I know this is supposed to be a memorial service and I guess it's hard to do something like that when you've known my friends. Sure we were all quirky and strange and whatnot but we got along. The most unusual person in our circle had to have been Rose. For centuries she had walked this earth alone trying to keep us from the destruction that one day might be inevitable. Only recently had she found people who will take some of that burden off of her. Inwardly she was dying inside and I guess I only wanted to make her well again. No one would ever really know it and she wouldn't admit it but me and her cared about each other a lot and I can say it was thanks to her that I did manage to survive my injuries." She seemed to choke back tears. "When the moon had begun to crumble I had been buried under a pile of rock myself. Rose and her long lost beloved, Zeig, thought it had been best if they took their chance at the eternal peace that should've befallen them before. But before doing so they helped me from under the debris and well… they gave me the energy to teleport here before I went under completely." She then glanced at Lloyd and Wink. "I guess I just really want to say that the love between Rose and Zeig lasted centuries and while I'm sure neither of you will live for centuries I hope your love will be able to stand the time that passes by." She said sitting down in front of a piano while Miranda stood in front of the group.
"This is a song Aile and I wrote years ago… I suppose in a sense the words fit the whole situation." She said as both females began vocalizing.
I had a dream that I could fly
I can feel each moment as time goes by
We'd never be too far away,
You would always be here, I heard you say
I never thought
Thought that it would be our last goodbye
(Our last goodbye.)
I still can dream
That one day love will fall out from the sky
Do you still remember all the time that has gone by?
(Do you believe?)
Do you still believe that love can fall out from the sky?
If from where you're standing, you can see the sky above
I'll be waiting for you, if you still believe in love
(Do you still believe?)
Find a way to bring back yesterday
Find a way to love
I hope we stay
When tomorrow becomes today
Love will find a way
I'll be waiting for you, in my heart you are the one
If I cannot find you, I will look up to the sun
(Do you believe, do you believe?)
If from where you're standing, you can see the sky above
I'll be waiting for you, if you still believe in love
Do you believe?
Do you believe?
Do you still remember all the time that has gone by?
Do you still believe that love can fall out from the sky?
If from where you're standing, you can see the sky above
(Do you believe?)
I'll be waiting for you, if you still believe in love
Do you believe?
*~*~*~*~*~
"I'll be waiting for you in my heart you were the one…" She sang the melody still as she brushed her bangs. She fluffed them a bit before frowning.
"How are you feeling?" Miranda asked.
"My ankle still hurts but that's about all."
"Think you can handle Meru?"
"Hmm… Let's See…" She limped to stand I n front of her bed. "Ready…" She said and Miranda opened the door and without hesitation a blur flew in and she landed on the bed.
"Imissedyou!Iwassosad…AndHOWDAREYOUMAKEMEMOURN!!!!" Meru said all together in one breath still amazing the girl.
"I missed you too and I'm sorry you were sad and depressed. All of you." She smiled at the group of people. Everyone smiled and seemed to line up for a hug with no spoken words. It was when she was face to face with Lavitz she felt almost ready to cry. His face was full of worry lines and it was hard to believe she was the cause of those lines.
"We'll go get some cake now." Shana tugged on Dart's arm.
"I can go for some too." Aireana said pulling Kongol. "Come on! I want some before Meru realizes where we're going and decides to take as much as she can." She whined.
"Cake!" Meru sped off dragging Guaraha with her.
"We shall go too." Emille suggested as the last of them followed leaving the two still embraced in a tight hug.
"I missed you terribly for the past year." He whispered when the door had been closed.
"I believe it." She said pushing out of his grasp to sit and lift the ankle that had been bothering her. "Stupid ankle..." She muttered as he sat on the bed next to her.
"Let me see…" He offered shifting her position for her and took the ankle in is hands and made quick work of messaging it making her turn an unnatural shade of red. "Lavitz?" She raised her eyebrows as his hands slowly worked upwards.
"Don't stop me… I myself want to know you won't just disappear suddenly." He said making her raise her eyebrow at him.
"But…" She tried to protest but he leaned forward and kissed her.
"Mom!!!" Lavitz yelled excitedly.
"Back already?" Mrs. Slambert came from the kitchen.
"Mom, I'm going to get married." He said turning around showing the girl he had been carrying on his back. Mrs. Slambert looked at the girl in awe before smiling.
"How did this come to be?"
"We'll talk over something to drink… he practically ran from Albert's Palace here." Aileana grinned.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lea_d: Well, I think I got a little emotional with this chapter…
Dart: and mildly steamy…
Sesshoumaru: Mildly? You can't even call it that?
Sephiroth: It was all to insinuate… let the readers' dirty minds fill in the blank.
Quatre: That and well… it isn't Nc-17 rating on Fanfiction.net anymore so she couldn't have typed up a scene like that.
Heero: Is that it?
Lea_d: what do you mean?
Milliardo: No wedding Chapter or anything?
Lea_d: I don't know… I mean we all know they'll live happily ever after anyway….
Trowa: I knew I'd always marry Wink….
Lea_d: okay Trowa… You're not Lloyd…
Trowa: No??
Lea_d: no.
Trowa: Are you sure?
Lea_d: Positive Dear…
Albert: Are you mellow for once or is it just me?
Lea_d: Actually I'm pretty Mellow… *Turns on the radio and plays the Hokey Pokey*
All the Gundam Guys: You put your right hand in and take your right hand out you put your right hand in and you shake it all about…
Albert: Spoke too soon. Don't' play that at least, Angel!!
Lea_d fast forwarded the music to the Siamese cats from Disney's Lady and the Tramp: We are Siamese if you please…
All the guys: We are Siamese if you don't please!! *Everyone dances*
Dart came in the room with a bag: I GOT IT!!! *The music stops and everyone crowds around the TV*
Lea_d: I play first!! *Dart puts the game in the Ps2 and hook up the 'controller'* Dance Dance Revolution Baby! Who's ready to watch me shake my Boo-tay?
Everyone gave a weak response: Yeah… sure… go ahead.
Lea_d frowned: For every missed step I'll drink a glass of scotch and you know what Alcohol does to me….
Zechs: Can we videotape you?
Lea_d: Sure!!
****~
(Hours later)
Lea_d is on the coffee table in Albert's pink dress with the cat and was pretty wasted by now while jumping on the hopscotch board drawn on the table: I'm a little tea pot… Short and stout… Here is my handle *hic*
Heero: Are you getting this Duo?
Duo: Yes.
Lea_d finally passed out on the couch nearby.
Dart: Let's go get some food and more jewelry for the cross dressing themed party for next week!
Everyone else: Okay! *Leaves the room but Duo Stayed*
Duo: They're gone, Angel.
Lea_d got up and shook her head: Gawd they're easy to entertain. Come on Duo my darling and let's go rig up everyone's room for the pranks! Don't forget to tell the people our message we always say! *Runs upstairs*
Duo: Review!
A/n: And I'm sorry about the crappy way it came up on the site I don't why it does this!
