ALEXANDER'S KNIGHTS (Bride of the Dark Messenger)

Disclaimer: No I do not own FF9 or any as far as I know. I just write fanfics. Please no Flames and R&R.


Chp 2: Prayer

At Alexandria, Garnet was in the throne room, listening to a farmer's plea for some help to get the monsters away from his crops. Unfortunately for him, Garnet wasn't paying attention one bit. She was zoned out, she seemed to be staring out the window, but she was really thinking of where Zidane could be while staring at her engagement ring on her finger. Steiner, the iron claded knight, nudged her several times to get her attention focused on the farmer. (Fortunately, Steiner hadn't heard of the little engagement yet, so Garnet and Zidane didn't have to fear his watchful eyes. Garnet and Zidane wanted to be married in secret in the Treno auction house. They told Beatrix, but asked her to keep it a secret from Steiner. Luckily for them, Beatrix is more understandable than Steiner and said she would keep her promise.) Garnet would pay attention for a few minutes, then go back to day dreaming. When she was asked a question, she'd answer with: "Uh huh", "Sure… why not", "Can you run that by me again", "Sorry, what", "I'm not so sure…" and her all time favorite "Come back later and I'll think of a solution." Although this got rid of the villagers quickly, it also pissed them off a bit.

Just as the farmer was about to explain what he wanted done about his situation, Beatrix opened the doors to the throne room. This caught Steiner's attention immediately, although they were already going out for about 6 months now, he was completely infatuated with her. She was the only thing on his mind besides protecting the Queen.

Garnet looked up and thought, 'Saved by the Bell by the woman with the Save the Queen!' as her general entered the room, completely ignoring the farmer and Steiner's infatuated expression. Garnet turned to the farmer and told him, "I'll have to get back to you." Garnet then ran past them both towards her best friend.

"Beatrix! You've come back!" Garnet smiled as she ran towards the humble General.
"Good evening, Your Highness." Beatrix smiled back.
"Have you found out anything?" Garnet asked impatiently stopping in front of her.
"Indeed I have. Very… shocking information." Beatrix smiled turned to a serious expression.
"What do you mean?" Garnet asked curiously.
Beatrix turned back to the door, "You can come in now."

Garnet cocked her head to the side in curiosity. Zidane entered the room sheepishly. Garnet let out a squeal of delight while running towards her love. As she was grasped in his warm embrace, he lifted her up in the air, spun around and placed her back on the ground and kissed her passionately. Unfortunately, it didn't last long, for they were interrupted by an angered, "Ahem!" they cut the kiss short to see that the sound came from Steiner who crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his metal boot on the ground.

"Are you quite done?" He asked.

Zidane and Garnet blushed lightly and she backed away from each other. Beatrix muffled her giggles with her delicate hand. Garnet turned to her general and captain.

"My apologizes… What was that shocking information, again?" Garnet asked.
"We haven't told you yet. Zidane, I believe you were the one who wanted to tell her." Beatrix said.
"Yes… I did." He turned to Garnet, "Dagger, you gotta promise not to hurt him."
"What do you mean, who's 'him?'" Garnet asked.
"Just promise me!"
"…"
"Promise me, Dagger!"
"A-A-alright."
"Okay…" Zidane turned to the door, "Come on in! They promise not to hurt you."

Garnet looked to the door and gasped at whom entered the room. Kuja waltzed into the room with not a bit of regret on his face, what to Garnet seemed quite rude, especially after what he had done to everyone on Gaia! The farmer who was eagerly awaiting the Queen's attention saw Kuja and ran out the door in fear. Kuja ignored the farmer and stood before the Queen and made a deep bowed that made his hair topple down, touching the floor. The young Queen just stared. Zidane walked over beside his brother and smiled at her.

"My beloved Dagger, I would like to introduce you to the new, Kuja the owner of the most successful Synthesis shop in Treno." Zidane announced.
"…No… NO! You're dead… YOU'RE DEAD! Zidane how could you!?" Garnet held her head and began to panic.

Kuja rose from his bow and his smile turned to a sorrowful frown as Garnet tried to calculate this in her head. Zidane, Beatrix and Steiner rushed to Garnet's side trying to get her to calm down. Kuja watched as Steiner flashed him a glare. This made Kuja knit his brows in anger.

"Your Majesty! Please calm down!" Steiner told his Queen.
"This isn't happening! He's supposed to be dead! He killed mother! He should have got what was coming to him!" Garnet shouted.
"Your Highness, please!" Beatrix said in a soothing voice.
"Dagger! He means no harm! He's changed!" Zidane told her.
"NO! HE CAN NEVER CHANGE! NO ONE WITH AN EVIL HEART LIKE HIS CAN CHANGE!" Garnet shouted.
"But he has! Please, just give him a chance! He was only doing what Garland convinced him to be right. He didn't do it because it was just to be evil! He was scared!"
"NO! I'll never give him another chance! He doesn't know what pain everyone has suffered!"
"Excuse me?!" Kuja spoke up.

Garnet looked up at the mysterious man, and trembled with tears swelling in her eyes.

"Don't tell me that I DON'T KNOW WHAT SUFFERING IS!!!!!!" Kuja bellowed.
"How dare you speak to the princess in such a way!" Steiner bellowed back, drawing his sword.
Zidane jumped in front of Steiner, "Don't hurt him!"
"Don't tell me what to do, thief!" Steiner shouted at Zidane, he threw him to the side.

Steiner ran at Kuja with his sword held high. Kuja covered his eyes and face with his forearms preparing for pain. But… there was nothing. Kuja lowered his arms and opened his eyes to find that the General stood before the tall Captain, blocking his way to Kuja with her arms spread out. The Captain's sword remained high in the air, unmoving, as he stared down at the General.

"Get out of my way Beatrix, this villain needs to be exterminated." Steiner said to her calmly.
"Not today." She told him sternly.
"You dare stand in my way to protect this maggot!?"
"Haven't you been listening? He's been through enough suffering! Now stand down or you can take my life with his!"
"Beatrix… you know I can't hurt y-"
"Then don't."
"…"

Steiner dropped his sword and hugged the young General, "I love you…" he whispered softly in her ear.

She smiled and hugged him back. Kuja watched in disgust. 'By the gods! How could she love such a beast!?' He thought to himself.

"Why is everyone doing this?! Why are you all defending him!?" Garnet fell to her knees in frustration and confusion.
"Dagger, please, he's suffered enough for his sins. He won't hurt anymore. I promise." Zidane said kneeling beside her, stroking her long dark hair.
"Yes… But how do I know he's suffered enough to fit the crime?"
"Your Majesty, Queen Garnet… Let me tell you something." Kuja began, "I spent 9 long years in a chamber with little food and water. I was beaten to a pulp by the one who gave me life and who I thought I could trust once again even after what I had done to him. A mindless baboon found me lying in a field unconscious. The one woman I've been waiting for ditched me long ago and now is with some kind of ogre of a man! I've spent months on this planet in the darkness of a cold, damp shop that is as dark as night and the only person who visits me besides rude customers is this womanizing, monkey faced boob who is the only one who cares about me! In the darkness of my dreams I hear the cries of many trapped in my head, getting louder and louder until the sound is deafening! And let me enlightened you… THIS IS THE WAY I PRAY!!!! Each night in darkness!!! In loneness!!!! It burns me alive inside… Living my life isn't hard enough you say? Well, reality check! IT IS! IT DAMN WELL IS!"
"Kuja…" Zidane whispered.
"I… never knew…" Garnet whispered.
"Damn right you never knew! No one ever knew!" Kuja shouted as he fell to his knees in tears.

A delicate hand being placed on his shoulder interrupted Kuja's tears. He looked up to find Beatrix smiling at him and pointing forward. He looked in that direction to see Garnet standing before him. She also put a hand on his shoulder and had a smile on her face that said, 'I forgive you… for now…'

Garnet turned to Zidane, "He can stay here with us, sharing a room with you. He will have everything he needs here. I have made my decision to let him live a normal life. He has learned what it feels like to loose everything."
"You'd… do that… for me?" Kuja asked rising to his feet.
Garnet smiled, "Yes. I am a better person than I was long ago."
"As am I." Kuja smiled.
"Good." Garnet forced a smile, the turned to Zidane, "Zidane, I want to speak with you."

With that, the Queen and the young Genome left the throne room. Kuja turned to face Beatrix… but she was no longer there, no one was in the room but him. He wondered where she headed off to… He opened the door to the hall and choked at the sight. He found Beatrix with Steiner, both engaged in a passionate kiss. Kuja glared at the tall muscular man holding the young woman in his arms with his lips pressed against hers, then quietly walked down the hall opposite of the two.

Meanwhile, Garnet led Zidane into the Garden. He had a worried look on his face, wondering if she was going to yell, shout and scream at him for keeping this secret from her. He prayed to the eidolons that she wasn't mad. She stopped in her track and spun around to look at him. Her face had an angered frown that touched her lips. It was as he feared, she was angry. He decided to say something first instead of standing there like an idiot, preparing for a cartload of bitching that awaited him.

"Look, if it's about Kuja, I'm sorry."
"Zidane-"
"It was stupid to try to keep a secret from you."
"Just let me-"
"I should have told you, but I needed time. Please forgive me?"
"Zidane of course I forgive you! But that's not why we're out here."
"It isn't?!"
"Nope."
"Then why are we here?"
"Because I wanted you all to myself for a few moments." Garnet smiled devilishly.
Zidane was dumbstruck.
"Ahh! This is a new side to you." Zidane smirked.
Garnet leaned in, about to kiss him, "Well, I hardly ever get to spend time with you with all these interrupt-"
"H-H-Hi Dagger! Hi Zidane!" a shy voice came from behind them.
Garnet rolled her eyes, 'I spoke too soon.'

They turned to see the young mage, Vivi with all his little mage "children".

"Hey Vivi! How are the kids?" Zidane asked.
"T-They're good." Vivi replied.
"Y-Y-Yup! We are!" The tiny Vivi's chorused.
"I was wondering… who's the mother?" Zidane asked eagerly.
"M-M-Mother?" Vivi stood their confused.
"…" Vivi jr. was silent.
"…" Vivi the 3rd was also silent.
"…" Vivi the 4th was the same.
Vivi the 5th stared, "…"
Vivi the 6th started picking his nose, "…"
Vivi the 7th kicked a rock, "…"
Vivi the 8th began to poke a worm with his shoe, "…"
Zidane stared at them,"…"
Garnet cocked her head to the side, "…"
"Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight." Zidane broke the silence.
"A-Ahem… well, we'd better get going. We were going to have lunch today with Mister Steiner." Vivi told them, changing the subject.
"Ha ha ha ha! I think he's already having lunch." Zidane chuckled, remembering leaving Steiner and Beatrix in the hall.
"W-What?" Vivi cocked his head to the side in confusion.
"Well, ya know! With French kissing… and the tongue…" Zidane trailed off when he saw Vivi's eyes growing wide, a natural signal that Vivi had no clue what he was talking about. Zidane dropped his head, "Ahh, never mind. I guess you guys better be going."
"Y-Yeah. See ya later, Zidane, Dagger." Vivi tipped his hat and he left the two of them, followed by the many tiny mages.
Garnet shook her head at Zidane, "Sigh, you are always trying to be a comedian."
"Hey, it's what people love about me!" Zidane winked.
"It's only a small portion of what I love about you." Garnet whispered, then giggled as she turned away from him and began to walk back into the castle.
"What you say? Hey! Don't leave! Tell me what you said!! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYY!!!!!!!" Zidane called to her while chasing after her.

Later, Beatrix patrolled the halls of the castle alone. The echo of her footsteps haunted the silent halls as she scanned every inch in front of her with her eagle eyes. Suddenly she stopped. She let out a sighed and flicked her hair back.

"Kuja, you should know by now you can't sneak up on me." She smiled shaking her head, not even looking back.
"How did you know it was me?" Kuja's voice asked from behind her.
"Intuition." She smirked as she turned to face him.
"Ahh, yes, Women's intuition. A charming and most interesting aspect of young women such as yourself." He chuckled.
"It seems you've grown up a bit." Beatrix smiled, "But I don't think you are here to prove that to me, I sense you want something."
"Bravo." Kuja clapped his hands, "Once again your intuition is correct."
"Quit stalling, Kuja." Beatrix told him, placing a hand on her hip, "I have a lot to do today and I have no time to waste on idle chit-chat."
"Sigh, as you wish." Kuja smiled. "May I ask you a question?"
"I believe that was a question." She smirked, "…You have 30 minutes to ask as many questions as you want. But that time also includes me answering so make it quick. And do not worry, I shall tell you no lies."
"Then I'll make my questions brief… Question 1: Why are you with such a… a beast?!"
"That's easy. He has a heart of gold and is a gentleman. No matter how much of a beast he may seem to others, I love him, Kuja, all I care about is if he loves me too."
"…Another question. How did you fall in love with him?" Kuja asked raising an eyebrow.
Leaned against the wall and closed her eye, remembering an old and beautiful memory, "It's just something he said… 'I never wish to lose you again' that made me realize… even when I was about to leave, his words made me decide not to make another bad decision by leaving Alexandria…"
"How can you love such a ogre?!"
Beatrix glared at him, "I believe I've already answered that."
"…You're very beautiful when your angry, you know that?"
"Kuja, please, that's over."
"Why did we ever break up?"
"You know very well."
"Heh… because you grew strong feelings for… another… Wait… WAS THAT OTHER HIM?!"
"Your powers of seduction never cease to amaze me…" Beatrix said sarcastically.
"You chose HIM over ME?"
"And I stand by my decision. It would never have worked between us anyway. We were seven years apart! You were 21 and I was 28… and all your intentions were very… well… how to put this nicely? Too fast for the relationship."
"All I wanted was to show you how much I loved you!" he began to lean in to kiss her like he used to do.
"Well, sometimes those things take time and-" Beatrix babbled hoping she could convince him to not touch her lips.
"WHY YOU LITTLE MONKEY-ISH #@%^@*$!!!!" A voice interrupted coming their way.

They both turned their heads to find Zidane running for dear life followed by Steiner with his sword held high. Zidane, who was way far ahead of Steiner, stopped before them.

"Hi Beatrix! Hi Kuja!" Zidane smiled weakly.
"What did you do this time? Did you tell him you were engaged to the Queen yet?" Beatrix asked.
"Umm… no…"
"Then what in Alexander's name did you do!?" Kuja demanded.
"…I kinda maybe sort of… pinched Dagger's tooshie." Zidane blushed embarrassed and afraid that Beatrix would react the same way as Steiner.
"Well, isn't that just lovely. You know how protective he is, so you better run now before he catches up." Beatrix waved him in the direction he was heading down before.
"Why?" Zidane asked.

He looked back finding Steiner still running in his direction. Zidane jumped in surprise at how fast Steiner was running now. Zidane gave them a wave good by and swift ran past them. As he ran, he suddenly flashed them a peace sign, then continued to pump his arms wildly as Steiner was cursing loudly and ran past them with out noticing them and began to catch up to Zidane. They noticed that close behind, Vivi's children, were following Steiner with a skip in their step. They watched as the parade of run down the hall. Beatrix let out a chuckle then turned to Kuja.

"I'm sorry, Kuja, but we're going to have to talk another time. But you may consider just being friends." She smiled as she followed after them shouting, "Albert!!! Don't use that kind of language when the children are near by!!!!"

Once again, Kuja was left by himself. He pounded his fist against the granite wall. Making a large dent in it. Kuja chuckled, 'I guess I still have some power left after the fall…' he thought to himself.

"H-H-Hey! You better clean that up before Dagger finds it!" A voice told him sternly from behind.

Kuja turned around to find a tiny black mage. The young mage jumped back at Kuja's appearance. His yellow eye grew three times their original size. Kuja recognized this mage… Vivi was his name.

"Vivi?" Kuja asked.
"Kuja!!!" Vivi squeaked in fright.
"No! No! It's okay! Don't scream! I'm good know!"
Too late, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Vivi screamed.
"What going on over there?!" Garnet asked as she ran down the hall in their direct.

She spotted Vivi screaming in front of a surprised Kuja. Garnet ran over to Vivi.

"Vivi!? What's wrong?" She turned to Kuja, "You didn't hurt him did you!?"
"N-N-No! I just turned around and he started screaming! I don't think he knows about me changing-"
Garnet nodded telling him she understood and turned back to Vivi, "Vivi, it's okay. Kuja is good now. Zidane says he'll be a 'good boy' from now on."
"*Sniff* N-n-n-n-no he won't! He'll make us mages his slaves again and use us to destroy!" Vivi sniffled.
"I want nothing of the sort! I can assure you…" Kuja told him.
"…"
"Vivi, I know we had our bad moments in the past, as with all your friends, but I've changed for the better! I swear! Zidane has shown me that life much easier to live when you aren't planning to destroy and create massacre." Kuja explained.
"I-I-I-I'm not sure if I c-c-c-can b-b-believe you…" Vivi looked to the side.
"Please, just… trust me. That's all I ask." Kuja plead.
"Alright… But stay away from the ch-ch-ch-children!" Vivi snapped.

Kuja winced at those words. They seemed very harsh… But Kuja nodded in agreement. Vivi nodded back and ran after the parade of people. Kuja looked after him with distant eyes. He looked to the Queen who was staring at him most awkwardly.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Kuja asked.
"You've really changed…" Garnet smiled.
"What do you mean?"
"The Kuja I used to know and fear would not plead for a second chance…"
"I guess I have then." Kuja smiled. "I'm glad someone else besides Zidane believes me."
Garnet cocked her head to the side, "Hmm? I thought Beatrix believed you?"
"Not fully…"
"What are you talking about?" Garnet asked confused.
"…Nothing. I think I shall check out the room that is arranged for me…"
"Alright. It's just up the stairs behind the door with Zidane's name on it."
"Alright. Thank you." Kuja smiled and walked away.


Later that night, Zidane retired to his room to find Kuja there. Once again, Kuja was sitting around in the… ahem… nude.

"Jeez, Kuja! You're living castle life now! I think you can last a couple night without sitting around like that!" Zidane shouted.
"I feel comfortable like this." Kuja replied.
"…TOO MUCH INFORMATION THANK YOU!"
"Sigh… fine…" Kuja rolled his eyes as he walked toward the dresser.
"So what were you doing with Beatrix in the hall?" Zidane asked.
"…Asking for her back…"
"WHA?!"
"What? You have a problem with that?"
"No, but Rusty will! What did she say!?"
"She refused and suggested we just be friends…"
"Good."
"Good? What do you mean good? She's in love with some zombie and not me!"
"Heh, look at it this way, we don't get the sh** beaten out of us by Rusty!"
"I'd take him on."
"Oh no. Last week, one of his Pluto Knights was flirting with her and Steiner saw this and flung him from the castle roof into the canal! I swear, when it comes to her, he some how summons up this super strength and beats the crap outta people! Not something I wanna experience first hand, thank you very much." Zidne told him.
"Well I swear to the holy Alexander, she WILL be mine one day!"
"You killed Alexander, rememeber?"
"Shut up! I have something planned to help make it happen…"
"Oh no! No plans! I'm responsible for you, if you do anything to Rusty I get kicked outta here faster than you can say 'Kweh'!"
"I'm just going to-"
"NO! Promise me you won't do anything!"
"…"
"Kuja!"
"Alright."
"Good." Zidane smiled, "You know what? I've been thinking lately…" Zidane said, changing the subject.
"That's something that doesn't happen everyday, you thinking. I shall alert the newspapers." Kuja said sarcastically.
"I'm serious, Kuja!" Zidane jumped up on one of the beds.
"Alright, alright… what have you been thinking about, Zidane?"
"What is Garland doing right now…?" Zidane asked, laying down on his back in wonder.
"…" Kuja fell silent.
"Kuja?"
"… I don't know…"

Kuja looked out the window to the starry sky… having the feeling that they were being watched…


Meanwhile, else where, far, far away… An elderly man stood before a large red globe with a picture of Kuja and Zidane in their room. He let out a chilling, booming laugh as he watched the two. He then turned to a shadowed figure behind him.

"Kiki!" he called to it, "Come hither."
"Crystal Waltz Kiki at your service, Master Garland." It replied as it approached the elderly man.
"Excellent, good girl. Come and look at these pitiful fools! Unaware of what we have planned for them." He laughed.
"Quite pitiful, Master Garland." Kiki replied.
"Soon my plan will unfold and I shall rule Gaia! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
"Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!"



A Crystal Waltz? Could it be a newer verson to the Black Watlzes? Are there Crystal Mages too? What does this "Kiki the Crystal Waltz" look like? What does Garland have planned? Will Kuja and Beatrix just be friends? Will Garnet ever get Zidane alone? Will Zidane pinch Garnet's tooshie again?

To be continued…