Chapter 9: The Mystery of the Shimmering Isle...
Author: Suzaku no miko
Disclaimers: I do not own the series Final Fantasy or its characters. They belong to Square...I do own Angela, however...

"Okay, there it is!" Erin announced as she flew the Hilda Garde 3 over the icy islands of the north. As they neared the island, Zidane and the others had gathered on the dock of the ship. Looking around, he made sure everyone was there before giving his instructions.

"Okay, we don't know what we're going to see so everyone needs be aware of their surroundings...ok? I suggest that everyone should be in a group with at least two people."
"Why just two?" Steiner asked, somewhat confused.

"Well, it will be much easier to cover more ground. This way, we can report what we have seen, if anything, more quickly." Garnet explained.
"So, who's going with who?" Eiko asked, growing imaptient.

"Well, here's what I think... Me and Garnet. Vivi and Steiner. Freya and Amarant. Quina and Eiko. Does that sound like a good plan?" Zidane suggested, winking at Garnet beside him.

"Yeah, figures he would stay with Garnet." Amarant mumbled.
"Did you say something?" Vivi asked, looking up at the tall fighter.

Smiling slyly, he shook his head.

"We go now?" Quina asked, now becoming the impatient one.

Chuckling softly, Zidane nodded his head and began to lead the way to the open door. The rest of the group soon followed, making sure they had all of their neccessities. First, Garnet and Zidane left and went their own way. Soon after, Vivi and Steiner. Freya and Amarant. And finally, Eiko and Quina.

Suddenly, after some time of walking, Garnet felt a little uneasy....

"Hey, is something wrong?" Zidane asked, noticing her facial expression.
"I don't know... There was just a sudden outburst of energy, almost too much... It almost knocked me out!" she replied, putting a slender gloved hand to her head.
"Maybe we're getting closer..."
"..."
"Just stay close to me..Everything will be okay."

Garnet then nodded, forming a tiny smile. When suddenly....

"Zidane! Everyone! I think I found something!" it was Eiko. Everyone then quickly left the path they were taking and rushed to where Eiko and Quina were.

"What is it, Eiko?!" Freya called, as she and the rest of the group approached them.

What they then saw was so unbelievable and so unimaginable, they could not believe their eyes.

"What is it?" Vivi asked, slowly moving back.
"It looks like some kind of portal. I read about them in a book once. I never knew they were real!" Garnet exclaimed, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Hmm...so this is what was going on here. Well, are we ready?" Zidane asked, looking from the portal to each of his friends.

"What?! What are you saying, Zidane?!" Freya cried.
"Are you crazy?! We do not know what's on the other side! For all we know it could lead to our doom!" Steiner added.

"Okay, so we don't know what's on the other side! And we never will know because we didn't go explore! Then days after this, you'll be driving yourself crazy because you didn't go and find out what's there! Will you do that everytime you have the chance to go somewhere new?!" Zidane cried.

"He's right... As a matter of fact, I'm quite curious myself." Garnet added, looking towards the swirling, open portal.

"Sound fun! Maybe good food on other side!" Quina exclaimed.
"Yeah! I wanna' go too!" Eiko shouted, anxiously.

Freya and Amarant nodded, also in agreement. The only ones who kept silent were Vivi and Steiner. Garnet then walked over to Vivi and looked down sweetly at the tiny black mage, to let him know he didn't have to be afraid. Understanding, he nodded, assuring her that he also wanted to go. Everyone then looked at Steiner, awaiting his decision.

"Alright. Let's go." he finally said, with a heavy sigh.

Everyone then cheered and began to prepare themselves. Taking deep breaths, one by one, entered the portal. Not knowing what they will encounter, they were still determined to solve this mystery of the Shimmering Isle....

To be continued...