Disclaimer: I don't own FF9.
A/N: Alright, now…you don't have to read this chapter if you don't want to. This is a lot direct quoting from the game. But! It does have reasons why Kuja either said or did certain things. Also, this one chapter takes up the entire four discs of the game. So, needless to say there is a lot of skipping around and some time lapses. However, if you want to read it, go ahead! Just don't forget to review!
Aya-yahiko: I think we should start a hugs-for-Zidane campaign. ^_^
Ginger Ninja: The only reason I could write Mikoto so well is because the game never really gives her a personality. Basically, I can do whatever I want with her, just as long as it doesn't stray too far from what the game does give her. (She seems kind of stoic doesn't she?)
Sakura-chan: Well, then you're just lucky! Lol. Then again, my teacher is always keeping a close eye on me. She knows that I'm going to be up to something if she doesn't. Lol.
A Voice From The Past: Part VI
Kuja stood on Kirai's back as the beast circled the Iifa Tree. He was beyond mad. A week ago, he had met with Brahne in Burmecia and he was already beginning to regret selling her his Black Mages. They were monsters, with no purpose but to destroy. He was mass-producing killing machines.
When he was in Burmecia he saw someone he really didn't expect. Zidane. He had changed so much, and he was getting more powerful, Kuja could tell. However, at his stage, he wasn't even close to matching Beatrix's power. She won the battle and left him and his friends for dead, or at least she thought she did.
They were still alive, of course Zidane was, but Kuja wasn't sure how his colleagues managed to survive as well. Slowly, the silver-haired Genome walked to where the defeated teenager sat. For awhile, he examined him almost making sure it was really him. Then, smiling, he turned for Kirai and rode off.
That was a week ago. Now he had to face up to the facts. Because of him, Garland was getting his way. Unintentionally he had brought war and chaos among the planet.
This, however, wasn't his only problem. If only he had been more careful! Brahne found out about Garnet's Eidolons and had destroyed two of the Great Nations using them.
The Eidolons were Kuja's only hope of defeating Garland. His magic alone wouldn't be enough, and now Brahne had stepped between him and his goal. His only chance in accomplishing it was to eliminate her.
Why hadn't he waited? Why had he jumped at his first chance? There were bound to be other Summoners out there somewhere. But no, he got himself tangled in a mess. A mess that was getting harder and harder to get out of.
Brahne had sent Kuja a letter ordering him to meet the Alexandrian fleet at the Iifa Tree. He was no fool; his "connections" at Alexandria Castle had informed him that the Queen's intention was to remove him from the picture.
Still soaring around the giant tree, he spotted the mass of ships. Quietly, he made a clicking sound with his tongue and Kirai began to descend.
They stood on the shore, waiting for the fleet. Kuja pretended to look clueless. Slowly but surely, the ships were getting closer. Brahne was at the lead, smiling wickedly and grotesquely.
The elephant lady sure is persistent. He thought as he continued to watch. Truth be told, he wasn't scared of getting hurt. Nothing could harm him anyway.
Though Garland couldn't find him, it didn't stop him from always conversing telepathically. The disturbed man told him everything…about his purpose, and that he couldn't die until he fulfilled it. Kuja however had other ideas in mind. He wondered if he destroyed the man that gave him his purpose, would that mean he wouldn't have a purpose anymore? It was just a theory, but he had no qualms about testing it out.
"Mega Flare!" came Brahne's raspy voice. Then, without much of a warning, a gargantuan dragon popped out of the water with a roar.
Kuja smiled, I've read about him. Bahamut, king of dragons. He climbed back onto his own dragon's back and it rose about the rocky ground. For a while, Bahamut merely chased the smaller dragon, blowing fire at it.
I won't win by playing defense. Time for some of my own tricks. "Invincible!" he called. Never had he attempted this before for the fear that Garland would track him down. But, he was no longer scared of him. He knew the main purpose of the Invincible was to trap souls. If he captured Bahamut's soul, he would be able to control him.
The airship appeared overhead, with the red orb looking down on the battle, just like an eye.
Kirai was starting to get tired, Kuja could tell. He waited for Bahamut to get directly under the ship, then he commanded Trap! Red beams shot out from the orb and began encircling the dragon.
Bahamut cried out in frustration. As the dragon was being trapped, Kuja realized something he hadn't before. His forehead was bleeding. A small trail of blood was trickling down from his hairline. Could it be? Could my plan be working if I am hurt?
The red light subsided, and Bahamut was floating in air, no longer hostile toward the Genome. "Kill her," he smiled, pointing a finger at Brahne's tiny battleship. With an earsplitting roar, the dragon flapped his wings and began pursuing the greedy woman.
Her ships were fast, but not fast enough. With ease, Bahamut caught up with the Queen, took a deep breath and singed her entire fleet with his fire breath.
The Eidolons! Damn! How was he to get the Eidolons from her now? There was no way anyone could have survived that. Silently, he began to beat himself up for his careless mistake.
Wait! There was still a bit of hope left. As Kuja realized a while earlier, he wasn't the only Genome there. Zidane had arrived with a group of his friends. They heard that he was supplying Brahne with weapons, and they were 'there to stop him'.
Painfully, Kuja realized that Zidane didn't remember him. Or, if he did, he either couldn't recognize him, or pretended not to.
However, his brother was traveling with quite a crew. The Princess was among them, but Kuja had already drawn Eidolons from her once, it wouldn't work again. Something that really surprised him was that a Black Mage also hung around him. But this one was somehow different from his murderous machines.
Unlike most others, this mage had a vocabulary other than, "KILL!" How did he get his hands on one? Surely I didn't sell him one…
But the one member out of his entire party that caught his eye was a young girl. Probably six at the most. She had purple hair, and…a horn.
A Summoner. He could extract the Eidolons from her; all he had to do was get her from Zidane. That would be the hard part.
"Ahh! Zidane, over here! Hurry!" a desperate female voice called. Kuja looked over Kirai's side to watch what was happening. All of them had gathered on the beach. Brahne's ship had washed ashore, along with her almost lifeless body.
Garnet sat next to her, crying. Why would she cry? The woman tried to kill her! The Summoner and Black Mage walked around together, and Zidane comforted the Princess as she witnessed her mother's death.
I did the Gaians a favor, he told himself. If I didn't stop her, the wars would have never stopped. Frustrated, he steered his dragon around. With a sigh, he said, "Let's go back to Treno."
* * *
Tiredly, Kuja stepped inside his Treno mansion and collapsed immediately into a sofa. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
"Back already?" he opened one green eye to see Hilda standing in the doorway. How long has she been here? Too exhausted to say anything, he grunted and shifted his weight away from her. Her eyes seemed to bore a hole into the back of his head, finally he snapped.
"God, Hilda! What do you want?!"
Smiling, she shook her head and put her hands on her hips. "How was your meeting with the Queen?"
"Oh, nothing out of the ordinary. She came with her fleet, attacked me, ordered a dragon ten times the size of Kirai to chase me…" he listed off on his finger sarcastically.
"Did you get what you were looking for?" she chuckled.
"No, I thought trapping Bahamut's soul would put him directly under my control, but I was wrong."
Hilda sat in an armchair across from him. "What do you mean?"
"I think I've put him under Garland's control as well," Kuja bit his lip as he thought. "The dragon's soul is inside the Invincible, that's his ship. I should've been more careful! There's no telling what he could do with the Eidolons!"
"Hmm, that is bad," it got silent for a while as the two thought. "But, you can control them as well, right?"
Kuja nodded, then changed subjects. "However…Zidane has been traveling with another Summoner. If I could just draw the Eidolons from her…"
"There was another survivor of the tribe?"
"Yes, but she isn't old enough to extract the Eidolons safely."
"What would happen if you tried?"
"The book doesn't say…"
Again silence fell as he pondered the situation. "Pack your things," he finally ordered.
"Wha-?"
"We must get away from the mainland, and soon. I have another palace that's hidden. We need to go there." With that he got out of his seat and ran up the stairs, "Hurry!" he called from the upper floor, "We're leaving tonight!"
"We better not be riding that dragon…" Hilda mumbled.
"No, we're taking the Hilda Garde. Kirai is coming though…"
"Of course, can't go anywhere without the dragon, can we?" she rolled her eyes. "So, where are we going exactly?"
"The Desert Palace on the Forgotten Continent," his voice came from his room. Hilda got out of her chair and began to walk up the stairs.
"But…I don't understand why-"
"I can't go directly to Zidane, I need to make him come to me. If I can attack Alexandria, it would infuriate him and he would hunt me down."
"What?! Kuja! You don't understand! Garnet's my niece! I will not allow you to harm her in any way!"
"Zidane wouldn't allow her to get injured, you can rest assured."
Hilda crossed her arms over her chest and scowled, "I don't like this idea of yours."
"You don't have to come. You know you're welcome to go back to Lindblum whenever." For a few seconds she considered his offer, but rejected it.
"I-I can't. I can't face him right now," she said as a tear rolled down her cheek. How could he have cheated on me like that?
"That's what I thought, " Kuja said as he shut his suitcase. "Hurry up and grab your things. I'll get the airship ready."
Still uneasy about the whole idea, Hilda walked to her room. She didn't have many belongings with her; she had left most of her things in Lindblum.
Hurriedly, she threw everything into a bag and ran to where the Hilda Garde was parked and waiting for her.
* * *
Once again, everything was going according to plan. Kuja strode through the dark streets of Alexandria. Most of the town was asleep-for the time being. Silently, he prayed that there wouldn't be too many casualties.
As he stood in the town square, waiting for the perfect time, Kuja began reciting poetry. Several times Hilda had described him as melodramatic because of all his quoting, but he didn't care. It had become a hobby. So many of the Gaians were talented, especially Lord Avon.
"Peace is but a shadow of death, desperate to forget its painful past….Though we hope for promising years, after shedding a thousand tears, yesterday's sorrow constantly nears. And while the moon still shines blue, by dawn it will turn to scarlet hue," he recited. This was his favorite of Lord Avon's poems because of how much he could relate to it.
Yes, I did hope for promising years. I shed a thousand tears. But unless I can change things, my past is going to come back to haunt me. I will…have to do Garland's dirty work.
Shaking these thoughts away, he looked skyward. "What an auspicious day for Alexandria. Garnet's ascension to the throne has brought hope and peace to this kingdom. The people are overjoyed; they believe a wonderful future is ahead of them.
"…But the celebration isn't over yet. It's time to really light things up! Your former master is here, Bahamut. Play a requiem for her and all of Alexandria!" dramatically he pointed a pale finger toward the castle. The Invincible appeared overhead, releasing the powerful dragon on the defenseless town.
Spreading its giant wings, Bahamut began flying over the city; torching buildings and causing chaos. Children ran through the streets, crying for their parents. Elderly citizens struggled to keep up with the mass of civilians fleeing the carnage.
The Castle! Kuja ordered. In a zombie-like manor, the dragon set its sights on Alexandria Castle.
Clicking his tongue, Kuja called Kirai. Almost immediately his faithful companion came. Gracefully, the silver dragon bowed down his head, allowing the Genome to climb on his back. Keeping a considerable distance away the two soared above the action.
Garnet had run out onto the balcony and was staring open-mouthed at the burning town. No! Go back inside! Kuja thought as he watched her.
Just like she had read his mind, the Queen turned and ran into the safety of the Castle. Later several soldiers ran out through the Castle doors and began aiding the people. Several minutes later, Beatrix and some other knight emerged.
Though he couldn't tell exactly what they were doing, he saw that they were fighting some sort of monster. He squinted his eyes to get a better look.
Mist monsters? But…how did they get in? He snapped his attention back up to the airship. Garland?! B-But, how?
Kirai gave a nervous growl and the silver haired man's eyes averted back to the Castle. Garnet was now standing atop one of the towers.
"What th-? How the hell did she get there?!"
Bahamut was attacking the Castle in full force now. Stop! Stop! He begged the Eidolon, but it didn't listen.
What's wrong Kuja? Can't control your weapon? The man's cold, mocking voice filled his head.
Dammit Garland!
Stop! You're going to kill her!
So?
"Gah!" Kuja screamed and pulled Kirai back from the disaster. Suddenly he saw something that he never would have suspected. The little Summoner, the one he was trying to catch, jumped out of an airship.
Kuja gasped. No! He thought wildly as he watched her glide to the dangerous Castle. The pendant around Garnet's neck began to glow, and before long, the little girl was suspended in midair in front of the young Queen.
For a while, they talked frantically. Then, linking hands, he could tell they were chanting something. A blue aura surrounded them, then a pair of angelic wings appeared around the Castle. The wings absorbed every attack Bahamut inflicted.
"It's so beautiful…Alexander…the legendary Eidolon. So, you wish to defend the castle with your brilliant wings…? How admirable… Your powers even transcend Bahamut's…Alexander, I've been waiting for you. I've called a magic carriage for you, I'm sure you'll like it. Invincible, come forth!" he called to the airship, then turning back to the castle, he murmured, "You're mine Alexander!" With this Eidolon, I would definitely win against Garland!
Kuja looked up again, the Invincible didn't seem to be obeying him. Blue beams shot out from the ship, only they weren't trapping Alexander, but attacking him instead. Slowly, his beautiful, angelic wings were weakening and disintegrating.
Garland has control of the ship instead of me! I shouldn't have let this happen! I'm going to have to release Bahamut's soul from the Invincible, if I don't then Gaia will be in danger. But, if I do…I will lose my only Eidolon as of now.
Dammit! He scolded himself several times. He then watched with anticipation the Castle. The tower that the two Summoners were on began to collapse due to the Invincible's main weapon . C'mon Zidane! Where are you? Garnet began to scream as she started losing her footing. The other looked around, helpless as to what to do.
God, Zidane! Hurry!
The blond appeared out of breath as he ran to the collapsing tower. He grabbed Garnet and pulled her into a safe embrace. Then, as quick as he could, he grabbed a festival decoration and swung to safety with Garnet in his arms, and the child beneath him.
Kuja gave a sigh of relief. She's safe… A cannonball aimed at him snapped him out of his trance and brought him back to reality. "C'mon Kirai. Let's get outta here." Now, all we have to do is wait. Now, I need that little Summoner more than ever.
* * *
It wasn't long before Zidane's posse had found the Desert Palace. After entering the sinkhole, all of them were knocked unconscious. Kuja knew he had to plan carefully. He ordered his Black Mages to take them into separate cells. Patiently, he waited for his younger brother to wake up. About an hour later, he finally came to.
"So, you're finally awake," he smiled as he talked into an intercom leading into Zidane's cell. Using his magic he created a magic screen in front of him that showed what was happening in the cell as well.
The boy looked desperately around, "That voice…it's Kuja!"
"I'm so happy to see you again."
"You rat bastard! Where're my friends?"
Kuja's heart almost stopped. Rat bastard? Those are the exact same words I called Garland. Was he right? Does Zidane hate me that much? Deeply hurt, the silver haired man started to lose his temper.
"My, my…" he started shakily, "Aren't we feisty today? No need to worry about them. They're in rooms not unlike yours." With one fist clenched he put a finger on a button. "Oh, yes…By the way, I should probably enlighten you as to your current situation." He pressed the button, causing the floor beneath Zidane to open. I will not be forgotten so easily! How can he forget a past as…as…horrible as ours?!
Kuja watched as the teenager jumped backwards with a cry of, "Yikes!"
"I'm sure that even your feeble mind can grasp what would happen if you were to take that plunge," he laughed to disguise his pain.
"Kuja, you're dead!" Zidane snarled.
"Oh dear. Was it something I said?" he retorted sarcastically. "Either way, now that you are aware of your predicament, I'd like you to do a tiny favor for me. I'll let your friends live if you say yes."
Now his words were starting to surprise even him. Threatening? He was now threatening his own brother? But, he had a plan, and Zidane was crucial to it.
If he was going to extract the Eidolons from the little one, he would need to go to a desolate or even abandoned location. Mount Gulug sounded good, but the entrance was sealed off. In order to get in he would need to Gulug Stone, which was hidden in Oeilvert.
As Zidane got the item for him, he would also be learning about Terra. Maybe then, he would remember his past.
"Dammit…" the blond paused a moment as he thought. "Dammit, I don't have a choice!"
"Very good. You've chosen wisely. First, step outside." The younger Genome obeyed. "Stand between the Black Mages." Reluctantly, he did as he was told.
Quickly, Kuja got rid of the magical screen and waited for his brother's arrival. Before long the two stood face-to-face. Zidane glowered, but Kuja couldn't help but smile.
"Welcome to my humble abode," he gestured around the study.
"Just cut to the chase and tell me what the hell you want!"
"My, we're upset aren't we?" Kuja teased, "Well, this is your errand…I want you to go somewhere and bring something back for me."
"So, tell me what it is already, you demon!"
Demon!? "I'd watch my mouth if I were you. Surely you haven't forgotten that I hold your friends' lives in my hands."
Zidane made a growling sound at that remark. Kuja smiled in satisfaction and continued to speak. "I'm going to send you to a place called Oeilvert."
"Where's that?" he was beginning to calm down.
"Oeilvert is south of the Seaways Canyon on the Forgotten Continent. It really isn't my kind of place."
"What do you mean by that?" Zidane asked, folding his arms across his torso.
"You see, there's an anti-magic barrier around the place. And I want to send you because you're too stupid to use magic." So, I'm the bad guy, eh? I haven't done anything to him to make him hate me. "Once there, I want you to retrieve the Gulug Stone for me. What do you say? Isn't it a simple task? I'll even send you on my luxury cruise ship, so you won't have to worry about transportation. Perhaps it's too much for you. I'd better send you with three of your friends, just to be safe. Besides, nobody likes to fight against himself."
At this statement, Zidane looked utterly confused. Kuja however laughed, "Never mind. Speak their names when you've chosen your partners."
Zidane thought for a bit until replying, "I want Steiner, Freya, and Amarant."
"Fine, I shall summon them." One-by-one he called them out of their cells and transported them up to his office as well. When finally they arrived, Kuja turned back to Zidane.
"Spare me the emotional reunion scene, please. Now, go and stand with your friends." Uneasily, the blond walked over to their platform.
He turned to face Kuja, his eyes filled with concern and rage at the same time. "You better keep your promise, Kuja!"
"Of course, you needn't worry one bit," he waved them off. The four were soon surrounded by many blue Terran symbols and they quickly disappeared. After he was alone, he began to laugh, "…What a bunch of idiots." He believed I would actually kill his friends! Oh well…I must stick to the plan.
Clearing his throat, he spoke back into the intercom, this time making it reach all the rest of the cells at once. "So, how do you like the special suites I reserved for each of you? By the way, Zidane is out running an errand for me in return for your safety. But I hate promises…and I so love deceit. So, I thought I would give you a special death to remember me by." Of course, I'm not going to kill them. But while they're busy, I can get the little girl… "My palace is home to a magnificent hourglass. As its sands fall, the floors of your rooms slowly open. Well? Isn't it a fabulous idea? Your lives will be spared if the hourglass is reset. If Zidane comes back in time, that is.
"Oops, just ten more minutes. Better start praying. Farewell…my sweet lovable morons," he laughed.
Quickly! While they're distracted! Smiling to himself, he walked out of his study and toward the cells. As he was on his way, the silver haired man stopped in front of a Black Mage. "Pack our things, we leave for Esto Gaza as soon as the Hilda Garde returns. And inform Lady Hilda of our departure." The soulless golem nodded and walked away.
He continued down the hall, finally stopping in front of the cell that the six-year-old inhabited. In one swift motion he threw the door open to find it empty. What!? Maybe it was the wrong room? Angrily he checked all of the other cells, but they were abandoned as well.
His eyes darted down to where the floor was still slowly opening. Did they fall in!? "Damn!" he cursed, stomping away.
Zidane is going to come back and think I killed them! Now terribly frustrated, he ran back to his study.
"Scan," he said holding out his hand. In front of him appeared a holographic map of his castle, several red dots were moving fast. "They're alive…but…how did they escape?" he questioned. The dots were quickly progressing through the obstacles of the castle.
Several hours passed and he waited for them to near the end of his castle, where they would have to fight his security system. They were steadily getting closer, but they weren't fast enough. A Black Mage stood in the doorway and reported, "The Hilda Garde has been spotted." Zidane would be here, and he would be furious if he didn't have proof his friends were alive.
He's going to expect to see them! As fast as he could, he concocted an optical illusion of the four mages he left behind, and placed them in a pit in the floor. If he thinks they're in danger, he'll cough up the Gulug Stone quicker.
"What the…where are we now?" Kuja heard Zidane's voice. He was right outside the door. "Did I take a wrong turn?"
"Welcome back…" he said into the intercom. "I'm inside the room past the stairs. But I want you to come alone, Zidane. Alone."
Silently, he waited. Outside the room Zidane was talking to someone. A few seconds passed and the door swung open. In stepped Zidane looking tired, nervous and angry.
"I'm so happy to see you again, Zidane." In one piece.
"My friends better be alright!" the blond warned.
I hope he falls for it… "Oh my! Blunt as always I see…Take a look in there," he pointed into the pit. Zidane gasped in shock, then looked back at Kuja with a look of hatred. "No need to worry. They just needed some rest, that's all," he said, hoping Zidane would change his expression. He didn't. Shaking his head, Kuja continued, "Now, give me the Gulug Stone."
"You bastard! You're the worst scum alive!"
Kuja yawned dramatically. "I grow weary of your tantrums. Well, will you hand it over or not?"
Zidane looked uncomfortable and resisted awhile. As Kuja waited, he looked back to where his scan spell was still hovering. The red dots were…right outside the room?
Get the little one! He ordered Zorn and Thorn telepathically, hoping Zidane wasn't paying enough attention to hear him. Footsteps were coming, quickly. And they were headed straight for the study. Zidane noticed as well and turned to face the oncoming crowd.
"Don't give it to him, Zidane!" the little Black Mage cried.
"Huh!? So, who's inside this cage?" Zidane yelled angrily looking back at the silver haired Genome.
Well…this is awkward. "Oh dear, I wasn't expecting this. That's right, the ones inside are fake! But don't think you've won yet."
"What do you mean by that?"
Kuja laughed and looked at the door. Outside the Summoner could be heard, she was screaming.
"Leave me alone!" she demanded.
"Eiko!" Zidane exclaimed.
Regent Cid was outside as well. "I'll protect you!" he said in his froggish voice.
"What a freak! This frog can speak!" came another familiar voice.
"Frog that goes squish, you'll make a fine dish!"
"Aw, man." Zidane shook his head. It was apparent that he had no idea what to do.
Kuja struggled to suppress a laugh. From the sounds of it, the regent had backed down and was cowering. Now was his chance. Trying to remain unnoticed, he lifted his hand and drew the Gulug Stone from his preoccupied brother.
"Hey!!" he exclaimed as he watched the triangular stone float into Kuja's outstretched hand.
"I wanted to finish you off after getting the Gulug Stone and killing your friends…" he lied, "Instead, I'll just take the girl. I hope we meet again." Smiling he ran to the teleport pod and was gone instantly.
* *
*
Okay, so not everything went according to plan during the extraction. Actually, hardly anything did. The little girl was too young, drawing the Eidolons was putting her life in danger. I was forced to change plans. That's when I remembered the moogle that went into Trance. I figured that I was powerful using magic without Trance and wondered what would happen if I was to experience it myself? One thing led to another and I wound up here.
Kuja looked over the cast horizon. After many years he was back at the same place he swore he would never see again-Terra. For awhile, he was silent, then he began to talk to himself.
"I can't believe I returned to this place, but…Soon…Soon, the power will be mine alone." He chuckled lightly. "I'll exact sweet revenge upon you both for insulting me," Garland for calling me a 'defect', and Zidane for…not remembering. "I'll make the people of both Gaia and Terra know who rules over all of them!" At this last statement, he threw his head back and laughed.
Slowly, in front of him the Invincible rose. Still laughing, he climbed aboard. Now all he had to do was find Garland, and get rid of him once and for all. He found him standing by the observatory; he seemed to be waiting for someone. It wasn't long before Kuja realized who it was.
Zidane walked toward Garland with his friends behind him. The old man began talking, and the blond didn't seem to be enjoying the subject too much. Kuja watched as Zidane and his party fought and easily defeated both a silver dragon, and Garland himself. Shouldn't have made him so powerful, huh Garland? Time to have some fun.
Smiling wickedly, the silver haired Genome pressed one of the buttons on the control panel. The one that trapped souls. Garland was the target. See how you like it Lord Garland!
Laughing, Kuja exclaimed, "This is too easy! The Invincible is mine! Now, I have the power to control all souls! Garland gave me everything without a fight. The old fool was too busy dealing with him. Now, only death awaits him. Poor Garland…Bitten by his own dog. This is no accident. Fate has chosen me to become the new ruler of Terra! Time for me to put on the finishing touches."
Excitedly, he teleported himself onto the platform everyone was standing on. Garland was hunched over, apparently he was in a lot of pain.
"I must say…I truly love you all," he smiled at Zidane and his friends, "You not only broke the seal to Terra, but did me the favor of defeating Garland! Zidane, you are truly an extraordinary Genome deserving of my love!"
"What are you doing here Kuja!?" Zidane asked, narrowing his eyes.
"That's not a very nice way to greet your brother."
"Shut up! You're no brother of mine!"
That hurt. Kuja walked over to where Garland sat. "Oh, such ferocity…Master Garland, he intends to fight Terra."
"Kuja…what are you scheming?" the injured old man asked, looking up.
"Scheming? Me? Watch as I defeat these enemies of Terra!" he turned to look at his brother. "Come on, now! You may sleep alongside the souls of Terra. For all eternity!"
Fighting will cause one to go into Trance…right? The battle was longer, no doubt he was outnumbered, but not outmatched. His heart was pounding in his chest as the battle dragged on. Finally, a red light surrounded him and his hair turned red. He felt invincible.
"This…is the power of Trance!" he yelled. His body began to float upward and he was suspended in mid-air, as if he had cast float.
"I'll show you all my true power! Ultima!" He knew the spell wouldn't kill them, it wasn't meant to. But it did weaken them considerably.
"Yes! This is the power I've longed for! The mighty power of souls! They assault any threat that tries to destroy them!"
Weakly, Zidane lifted his head. "Wh-What do you mean…?"
"It's Trance!" the silver haired Genome exclaimed, stating the obvious. "You know how it works! But a normal Trance won't be enough to defeat you…You're all as resilient as oglops! Even tiny moogles possess the power of Trance…When I saw that in Gulug Volcano, I came up with a plan. It was easy. I just needed to borrow the power of wretched souls that can't die…
"Where did I acquire it? It was the Invincible, or should I say, that large eyeball in the
sky? The ship sucked up the souls of
Madin Sari, the Iifa Tree, and Alexandria to feed upon them. When it fought Bahamut at the Iifa Tree, the
Invincible drew in a powerful spirit…Can you guess to whom it belonged?"
On the ground, Garnet stirred and made a gasping sound.
"Queen Brahne's soul! The soul of your mother! The souls trapped inside the Invincible welcomed me with open arms." Looking at Garland, he continued, "They were fed up with your prisoners, Garland.
"So, Master Garland," Kuja said with relish, "You are no longer needed. And after you worked so hard…I shall rule Terra and Gaia with my unconditional love from now on…"
"What will you do with such…power?" Garland asked, still clutching his side.
"Master Garland…You, of all people should accept defeat gracefully." Then, smiling wickedly, he kicked Garland in the ribs. What do you think of me now? Beaming, he added in, "How sad…Any last words?"
Forcedly, he said, "Your power is…meaningless."
Yeah, right! Angrily, he kicked Garland again, this time the old man fell off of the platform. After watching him fall, Kuja turned back to Zidane and decided to mess with him.
"Now it's your turn. Should I kill you quickly to show you my appreciation for all you've done? Or should I kill you slowly and painfully to show you my love? Oh, I've got a great idea! How's this? I'll make you pillars for my castle! You'll decorate my castle as a symbol of my eternal kingdom…How do you like that?"
Zidane looked up, "No…Never!"
You can never build an eternal kingdom…
"That voice…Garland? Did you leave something behind?" he asked sarcastically as he walked to the edge.
Do you think a defect like you could last forever…?
This shocked Kuja. Did I do all this for nothing? "…What do you mean!?"
I built you to last until the worthy Genome, Zidane, grew. It was too dangerous to let you last any longer than that. It was as if Garland had driven a knife into Kuja's stomach and twisted it. That was how it felt.
"What are you saying…?" he asked through gritted teeth.
There is a limit on your life. You'll be dead soon…Even as I die, you'll have died without ever leaving your mark on the world.
The thought of dying soon scared Kuja more than the thought of never dying. He laughed, though he felt like screaming, "…What and interesting lie. You're telling me that my life will end soon?" again he laughed, "Nice try Garland, but I won't fall for your silly tricks…" Garland was silent. Please say you weren't serious. Garland? "…Garland? Garland!? Answer me!"
You were created to destroy. You are a mortal.
Stunned, Kuja began opening and closing his mouth, trying to form words…but they weren't coming. "A mortal…?…I'm finished?
"I don't believe you! Why would I believe such a silly story! You're telling me that I'll die soon, now that I'm more powerful than anyone? I'm gonna…die!? Lose my soul…?" Now laughing hysterically he faced Zidane again. "What comedy! Zidane, isn't it hilarious!? I'll die just like the Black Mages I so despise! I single handedly brought chaos onto Gaia," unintentionally, but still…, "but in the end, I'm nothing but a worthless doll."
The little Black Mage began to stir and he mumbled, "Kuja…Kuja?"
The now red Genome knew what was going through his head, Kuja is just a puppet too…that's what he thinks… "…I won't let it happen. I won't…I won't let this world exist without me," he roared. The blood was pulsing through his ears and he felt anger build up in his chest. Levitating higher up, he began releasing balls of energy with his hands, destroying everything. At this point, he didn't care what happened to himself, or anyone else.
Terra fell easily. Burning with Kuja's hate. Then, just before the tiny planet exploded, he teleported himself back to Gaia.
Kuja lay, wounded inside the Iifa Tree. His time was drawing close, and he wanted to see Zidane once more before he passed. Concentrating hard, he was listening in to his brothers' thoughts.
Again, he was fighting. Most of his thoughts consisted of, attack, or I need an elixir. But one made Kuja's heard leap, it was: Dammit Necron!
Necron!? He's fighting Necron!? I need to get him out of there! Using the last of his strength and magic, he teleported his younger brother and his friends to the Iifa Tree. Then, he closed his eyes and waited for his weakening heart to stop.
…Farewell, Zidane…he said telepathically. He felt dizzy, the world around him kept going in and out of focus. His entire body seemed numb.
Kuja! Can you hear me!? I'm coming to get you! Came Zidane's voice after a few minutes.
You still have time…Forget about me and go.
Just shut up, and stay where you are!
One minute he hates me, now he's trying to save me? …I don't understand you.
Okay, here goes nothing.
This is hardly how I imagined my end…The Iifa Tree began to shake violently and there were strange noises coming from outside that sounded as if the tree was de-rooting itself. Suddenly, someone fell from an opening overhead.
Zidane!? The blond Genome fell past him and landed with a thud below. Is he okay!? Though he struggled, he couldn't move enough to see his younger brother. He felt better when he could hear Zidane's voice from below. He was talking to himself, though Kuja couldn't make out the words. Next, he heard the sound of someone scrambling up the roots.
Opening a single eye he saw Zidane just barely saving himself from tripping. He looked around a few times, then jumped over a pit and sat next to Kuja.
"Hey! Are you alright?" he asked, out of breath.
"Zidane…?" his voice cracked. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to go…" he closed his eyes again and drew a ragged breath.
"Wouldn't you do the same for me if you knew I was dying?"
Of course! But…I thought he hated me. Why is he helping me like this?
"Never mind." Zidane sighed.
Kuja realized that his brother had taken his silence as a no, and quickly changed the subject. "Your comrades were able to escape?"
"Yeah…I knew you had something to do with it."
Words were starting to become more difficult, and the pain searing up his back was tremendous. "…I'm glad they made it," he said quietly.
"Yeah, well…it's out turn to get movin'."
Kuja was silent for awhile. All of a sudden he was aware of all the pain and suffering he had caused so many people. "…I don't deserve to live after all that I've done. I'm useless to this world." A single tear rolled down his cheek. Hurriedly, he tried to wipe the embarrassing droplet only to discover his arms refused to budge.
"No one's useless…" the younger Genome insisted, "You helped us escape, remember?"
"After you guys beat me, I had nothing left…nothing more to lose. Then, I finally realized what it means to live." His eyes began to droop. Steadily, the strength was leaving his body. "I guess I was too late."
His head tilted to his right shoulder and his breathing became more rigid and labored. Zidane jumped up and leaned over him just as he started losing consciousness.
"Hey! Don't you go dying on me, alright!?"
Thank you…so much, Zidane. An earsplitting smash followed his statement and desperately Zidane flung his body over Kuja's weakening one.
As the Iifa Tree writhed around Zidane, gradually Kuja slipped away underneath him.
~ ~
I hope you liked it! The next chapter is the last! So, keep the reviews coming and I might post it early! And, um…I was very lazy and didn't edit this chapter, and I never sent it to Noelle for her to edit. So if there were any typos (and I'm sure there were) I'm sorry. I'll probably repost it soon with corrections. It's just that this one was so long! And I was so tired I didn't want to read through it a million times to see if I had the right grammar! You guys understand, right? Anyway, review away!
