Dragon Knight Fratly: You are very right.  But I feel so bad for him; I just don't want him to be pure evil!  Sephiroth on the other hand, no matter how cool he is, and no matter how much I love him, there is no way to turn the tables with him.  The guy is the epitome of evil…but I still love him! ::glomp::

Dagger: I don't know if you got my email or not, but that wasn't the last chapter!  This is!  Lol.  Don't worry, I'm not going to torture anyone anymore! ^_^
Sakura-chan and Ginger Ninja: I'm glad you enjoyed the last of the Kuja chapters.  I hope you enjoy this one as well!

A/N: Well everyone, this is it!  Read and review!

The night sky was darkening outside as Mikoto sat in the kitchen of the Desert Palace.  It seemed that the clock was stuck at one thirty seven as she watched it from where she sat.  Zidane had long since gone to bed, giving Mikoto time to think by herself.  In her hand she held a vial full of a venom green liquid.  Malboro poison.  The most dangerous substance known to man.

Shakily, she pulled the cork out of the vial and held it close to the candle she had lit.  From her pocket, she pulled out a syringe.  Her eyes welled up and her hands shook as she tried to transfer the liquid into the shot.  Barely, she missed the small opening, causing the venom to spill all over her unprotected hand.

The liquid began to sizzle and eat at her skin.  Crap.  Hurriedly, she wiped it off and watched in disgust as her skin began to re-grow itself.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she tried again, this time successful.  Now, looking more upset than ever, Mikoto examined the syringe.  I'm doing him a favor, she thought through tears.  Pocketing her concoction, she began the long walk to Zidane's bedroom.

For several minutes she stood outside of the door, internally debating whether or not she should go through with her plan.  From inside the room, she could hear her brother's light snoring.

She blinked the tears from her eyes as she put her hand on the brass doorknob.  After this…he would be gone forever…but he wouldn't suffer anymore.

Out of nowhere, a memory came floating into Mikoto's head, back from the time before their nightmare had begun.

After Zidane had let her borrow Kuja's journal, she had become addicted to it!  Even through the saddest of his experiences, Kuja still maintained a sense of humor.  However, Zidane had taken it away from her before she could finish it.  She had snuck into his room while he was away and took it off of his bedside table.

When he returned, he went straight to his bedroom to begin looking through more of the journal, only to discover it wasn't there.  "Hey, Mikoto.  Have you Kuja's journal?" he had asked, stepping out of his room.

"Uh…" she started nervously, "N-No…" A smile crept across Zidane's face and he rolled up his sleeves.

"Oh really?  You're goin' down!"

Mikoto squealed and ran in the opposite direction, with the journal tucked under her arm.  "You'll have to catch me first!" she yelled over her shoulder.

Laughing, Zidane chased her down the hall.  Finally, at the end of the corridor, the older Genome pounced on her, tackling her into the stone ground.

"Surrender!" he demanded.

"No!  Never!" she yelled, flailing her arms so she could possibly free herself.  Zidane grabbed her arms behind her back.

"Surrender!"

"Nooooo!" she flung her wrist forward, sending the journal flying.  It landed on the floor about two feet in front of them.  All at once Zidane jumped off of her back and snatched the journal.

"I am victorious!" he announced holding it over his head.

"Don't get cocky!" she yelled, kicking him in the shin.  He collapsed dramatically next to her.  Both were out of breath and were laughing.  It had been…fun.

Now she was faced with making the hardest decision of her life.  Not killing him would be selfish, but if she did, would she end up destroying Gaia?

Stop it Mikoto!  Just do it!  She told herself.  Uneasily, she felt the bulge in her pocket where the syringe weighed down her skirt.  As hard as it was, she forced her shaky hand to turn the doorknob.  A tiny creak came from the hinges as she slowly opened the door.

Her big brother lay in his bed, completely unaware of what was about to happen.  Before she could doubt herself anymore, she drew the deadly poison from her pocket.

Eyes brimming with tears, she took a step closer to the bed.  With a loud snore, he shifted his weight, causing him to become more tangled in the sheets.  Trying to keep her sobbing quiet, she inserted the needle into his exposed left forearm and injected him with the venom.

The sudden pain caused him to wake up.  His eyes darted to Mikoto, who looked back at him with a devastated expression.  "I'm sorry," she choked out.

He opened and closed his mouth but all words seemed to fail him.  Sweat was collecting on his brow and his body was weakening.  M-Mikoto!?  She simply looked at him, the tears streaming uncontrollably down her reddened cheeks.  Y-You didn't have to…

Forcing a smile, she replied.  Thank you.  You were my only friend.  But, you go with your friends now, okay?

His breathing was heavy and he grimaced.  Okay.  Thank you, for always being with me.  But…what will you do now?

Don't worry about me, I'll be alright alone.

Zidane moaned.  No you won't!  I couldn't imagine living all- his words cut off.  He lay there frozen, never to move again.  His eyes remained open, fixed on his sister, though they weren't focused.

Placing her head on his chest she confirmed it.  After many years of wanting to die, it had finally happened.  Her brother was with the people he loved once again.

The female Genome drew a shaky breath and let it all out.  All the sorrow she had bottled up ever since Memoria came out in a flood of tears.  She reached out in front of her and closed his eyelids.

"I'm sorry," she cried even though she knew he couldn't hear.  "No matter how much you insisted that you didn't care…I knew.  I heard you cry out for her, your wife, at night.  All you wanted was to be with them."

She sat on the bed beside the lifeless body and wept into her hands.  "I'm alone now…" She looked at him, he seemed so peaceful.

Absentmindedly, she played with his hair.  The clock in the corner chimed twice.  Two in the morning.  She collapsed atop of him, crying into his chest, but this time he couldn't comfort her.  "Goodbye…I love you," she murmured.

For hours she lay there mourning until sleep overtook her small body.

"Your Majesty," a soldier addressed the King of Alexandria, bowing.  "There are strangers outside the castle.  They insist on seeing you immediately."

"You know the law," the King stated, "No strangers inside the castle unless they have been summoned."

"I know, but…" the soldier leaned in closer and whispered, "There is a lady, she's carrying a man, and they both…well, have tails."

The King looked at his own tail and his eyebrows rose, "Oh?  Send them in." Bowing a second time, she ran to the doors and opened them.  In stepped a girl with messy blond hair.  In her arms, she cradled a man that looked similar.

"Are you…" the woman spoke, her voice feeble, "King Alexander Tribal?"

The man nodded and stood up, his robes falling around him.  "I am.  What can I do for you?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"He needs a burial," she motioned to the limp body in her arms.  Alexander's eyes softened, but he shook his head.

"Only royals can be buried in the royal graveyard."

The strange young woman sighed and laid the body on the floor.  "Come here," she said as she knelt down beside her fallen comrade.  Still looking doubtful, he walked to her side.

"Do you not recognize your own grandfather?"

Alexander shook his head in disbelief, then began to look between the man and a painting hanging on the wall.

"It can't be!" he looked at the woman, "What is this trickery!?"

"There is none, Your Majesty…"

The man was silent for a while as he continued to examine the body.  "Then…who are you?"

"I am his sister…Mikoto," she answered.

"B-But how?  I thought he couldn't die?" Mikoto didn't say anything.  What could she say?  "Um, I killed him!?"

"Could you please give him a proper burial?" she pleaded.  For a while, the King thought.

"Of course.  He deserves one." Alexander replied.  Turning his head to the side, he barked, "Williams!  Get a hold of the pastor!  We're having a funeral!" A soldier nearby saluted and obeyed.

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty," Mikoto said as her eyes welled up.

"Why don't you get cleaned up as we wait for the pastor and everyone else?  It will take a while…" he insisted.  "Abigail will help."  A servant nearby bowed.

"Follow me Lady Mikoto," the woman said sweetly.  The Genome reluctantly left the body and followed the maid solemnly up a few flights of stairs.   Through the entire walk, Mikoto remained silent.

Before long they stood outside of a room.  Abigail began searching through her ring of keys, eventually picking out the right one.  Hurriedly, she pushed the door open and gestured with her arms for Mikoto to go in.

Feeling horribly out of place, the blond girl did as she was told.  Open-mouthed, she gazed around the stunning room and at all the beautiful furnishings.

Abigail bustled into the room after her and, using another key, unlocked another door.  "This is the bathroom.  Towels are in the cabinet above the toilet and there is already soap in there.  Did you bring any clothes with you?  I mean, you aren't going to the funeral in that are you?"

Mikoto looked at her clothes.  Her white shirt was stained with mud and her usual pink skirt was torn in many places.  Blushing, she answered, "I brought nothing with me except for my brother."

Abigail smiled and put her hand on the shorter girl's shoulder.  "I'm sure Lady Emerald won't mind lending you a dress," she said reassuringly.

"Thank you."

"I'll leave the dress on the bed for you.  I take it you don't need help with anything?" Mikoto shook her head.  "Good.  Call me if you need anything."

"Alright," she mumbled.  Still smiling, Abigail left the room, shutting the door behind her.  After her footsteps disappeared down the hall, Mikoto sat down on the bed.  With a sigh, she collapsed into a heap.

Seconds later her door opened again and a maid stepped in, carrying a black dress.  It wasn't Abigail, but she acted a lot like her.  "Lady Mikoto, are you not going to get cleaned up?" she asked laying the gown on the bed.

The Genome didn't answer, she simply got up and walked into the bathroom.  The maid looked at her bewilderedly before leaving the room.  Mikoto splashed some water on her face.  Wow, I look really bad.  Maybe I'm just tired.

She examined her reflection and shook her head at it.  Pathetic.  Hmmm…maybe if I take a shower and then sleep some, I'll feel better.  With that in mind, she turned on the hot water faucet and threw off her tattered clothes.

The sound of running water relaxed her as she stepped into the shower, letting the warm water run over her tired body.  It felt so good; it made her forget most of her problems.  One however, still lingered.  What happens next?

Too tired to spend a long time in the shower, she washed quickly and stepped back out, feeling very refreshed.  She wrapped one of the fluffy white towels around her and walked back to the mirror.  Using her hand she wiped the condensation from it.  "Better," she said, forcing a smile.

Feeling a little better about everything, she walked out of the bathroom and to the bed.  She picked up the dress and examined it.  Mostly it was black, but it had some fur.  Looking behind her, she made sure the door was closed before she slipped the dress on.  With much difficulty, she attempted to zip up the back with no success.

Frustrated, Mikoto opened the door a crack and looked down the hall.  "Abigail?" she called quietly.  The hall was empty except for a soldier that stood guard at one of the doors.  "Abigail?" she tried again.  Still no response.

Uneasily, she started walking down the abandoned corridor.  Beautiful paintings decorated the walls.  A lot of them were of "Queen Amethyst and King Zakariah".  Amethyst…she recognized the name.  She was Zidane's daughter.  He used to talk about her all the time.

Further on down the hall, one painting in particular caught her eye.  Slowly, she moved closer to it to examine it better.  In this particular painting, Zidane and Dagger stood in front of a tombstone.  On his hip, Zidane held Amy.  But, what stood out more than anything was the dress Dagger wore.  Mikoto placed her fingers on the dress and traced the shape then looked down at the dress she was wearing.  She broke into another fit of sobs.  It's the same one!  I'm wearing Dagger's funeral dress.

"Lady Mikoto.  Whatever are you doing out here?" Abigail's voice came from behind.  The female Genome gasped and quickly dried her eyes.

"I…uh, couldn't zip up the dress," she said a little faster than she meant.

Abigail smiled warmly, "Here, I'll help you…"

Mikoto shook her head and looked back at the painting.  "Oh," Abigail said awkwardly, "Yes…that was Queen Garnet's dress…" she added quietly.  It was silent between the two as they continued to look at the artwork.  Abigail was the one who broke the silence.

"Come, Lady Mikoto.  I'll help you find a new dress." The blond nodded and followed the maid down the hall.  "King Alexander got a hold of the royal pastor," she said so as to keep the eerie silence away.  "The funeral is scheduled for noon." The maid swung open the door to the guestroom and pulled out a stool.  "We have an hour to get you ready.  Stand on this."

Mikoto stood on the stool while Abigail walked to the door.  "I'll be back in a minute," she announced.  Mikoto stood on the stool, feeling very awkward until the maid came back with a new dress.  After the Genome slipped off the old one, Abigail pulled the new one over her head.  "Does it fit alright?"  The blond didn't say anything as the woman zipped up the back.

"Well, it looks a bit long.  Hold on and I'll pin up the hem."

Is this what the royal family puts up with everyday?  It would get annoying.

After an eternity of standing, and feeling like a human pincushion, Mikoto was relieved to hear Abigail's deliberately perky voice announce, "Done!  You look great!"

The maid grabbed Mikoto by the hand and led her to the mirror.  "What do you think?"

"It's…new," she said softly.  It looks nothing like me.

Abigail smiled again, then looked at the clock on the wall.  "You should head down the to the royal graveyard."  The blond sighed and walked for the door.

"Um…I don't know the way," she admitted in her monotone.

"I thought so," Abigail laughed heartily.  "Come on, Lady Mikoto.  I'll show you the way."

Still feeling completely out of the place, the female Genome followed the woman down the long, narrow hall.  Before long, they reached a door and using the ring of keys, the maid unlocked them and threw them open.

"Go on, my Lady," she bowed.  "And I'm sorry about the loss of your brother."  Taking a deep breath, Mikoto stepped out into the daylight.

"Aren't you coming?" she asked Abigail.

"No, I haven't been invited," she smiled weakly and began to shut the door.

"I invite you!  Please…come stand with me…" I don't want to be alone…not right now…

"Alright," the servant smiled.

Outside, a small group of people surrounded a casket.  At the head of them was a man dressed in black, in his hand he held a Bible.  Mikoto stood close to the coffin and stared down at the flowers that decorated it.  Abigail stood close by.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." The priest recited from the holy book he held.  Mikoto plucked a single flower, a rose, from the casket and held it close.  Tears flowed steadily down her face as she listened to the sermon.  Abigail wept quietly as well, though she had never known him.

"…And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever," he finished, looking up at the crowd.  "Does anyone want to say any last words?"

The King looked at Mikoto expectantly as did Abigail.  "Go on…" the friendly woman pushed her forward.

Mikoto stood uncomfortably in front of everyone.  Their eyes bore holes into her.  "Zidane…" she began shakily, "…was my big brother.  The former King of Alexandria.  He was…a great man.  You'll never find one like him.  He never thought of himself, everyone else came first."  Her eyes looked glossy and her mouth trembled.  "I'm sure it's difficult for us t-to…say…g-goodb-bye." She collapsed into the ground and cried uncontrollably.  The pastor bent down next to her and helped her up.

In the crowd stood a choir, and on the pastor's command, they began to sing.

"When we were younger

innocent and free

we were happy.

Though it was only you and me.

You were always

ready with a smile.

Who could've predicted

what would happen in a while?

Our innocence shattered,

our lives were torn apart.

Sometimes life can be so cruel.

The day you stopped smiling

was the day it broke my heart

and we stopped playing by the rules.

We share a soul,

we share a life,

we are together through all

the pain and strife.

And no matter what

life throws our way

you give me the strength

to face another day.

Through all my tears,

through all my pain,

you were always there.

Our love would never change

the world was ours

once upon a time.

But nothing lasts forever,

even your life…

We shared a soul,

we shared a life,

we've been together through

all the pain and strife.

But no matter what

life threw our way

you gave me strength

to face another day.

Now you're gone,

and I'm all alone.

I just don't know what to do,

but I know I'll see you

another day

in my heart I know it's true

'cause

We shared a soul,

we shared a life,

we've been together through

all the pain and strife.

But no matter what

life threw our way

you gave me strength

to face another day."

Mikoto calmed down as the beautiful song faded.  She knew now that she was alone, but she also knew that she was strong enough.  She would prevail!  Never would she let Garland win…

~ ~


::Holds hands out in a triumphant fashion:: it's over!  Please don't hate me too much.  I've actually been thinking, that (if the fans want it) then I can post some alternate endings.  You would just have to wait for awhile (because I have them thought up, I just haven't written them yet).  And, maybe (if the fans want it as well) I may post some kind of a sequel about Mikoto and her struggle.  And, hopefully you figured this out, but when Mikoto said, "I love you," it was in a family fashion.  Zidane is still all Dagger's.  Mikoto loved him, she wasn't in love with him.  If that makes sense…

Now, I have a loooong list of people I have to thank for helping me put this story together! 

First of all, B-chan, my "partner in crime", "twin" and "muse".  She helped me come up with so much of the story line, and really was always a really big help when I got stuck.

Noelle: my Beta-Reader!  She did such an awesome job doing all the nasty stuff! (Editing, grammar corrections) You're the best N-chan!  Without her, this probably would have never made it online!  ^_^ Also, if you haven't already, you should check out her fanfic.  Actually, not really a fanfic, but it's just as good!  She writes lyrics for FF9 music! (Save-the-Queen)

Jessica: she wrote the ending song!  She is by far the most talented singer and artist that I have ever met!  ::gives her a big hug:: she also helped with the ending of the story!

Virginia, Alyssa, Sarah, and Samantha: All of them helped me with "musing" at one time or another!

Last but definitely not least, all of my reviewers.  Get ready because this is a long list:

Oblivion viruses, Aquarius Gal, serenesweetie06, Dragon knight Fratly, Rosa Aquafire, b, klepto-maniac0, Fujin Kazano, aya-yahiko, Tobu Ishi, Starling94, Sors, Honor, Silver Dragon Goddess, Angelic Demon 16, Lakyan, Musie (^_~ thanks B-chan!), Sorceress-Rina, Kingpin, crystaleyes, Girl with too many aliasses, Sapphira, Katia, Fate, Mikoto, Reasa, Sakura-chan, Bombei, FF9 Zidane, Ginger Ninja, Laine, Callista, Dagger, Save-the-Queen (the Beta-Reader herself!), Kuja335, Zero, Robshi, Shoutan Ketsurui, The Final Fantasy, Archangel_666, Elendil Star-Lover, Kuja, Slash the Dark Knight, Sabrina, Erin Tribal, rtworld1369, ihatespring, Luki Dimension, Frodo's Girl, LeopardDance, Jenlo, Neo-Kuja1985, tereterhomdark2003, Genjy0-Sanz0, Solarious, jkateel, Raiden Tribal,