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Chapter 5

Mikoto rejoined the others in the conference room when she had finished. Her new boots

clanking loudly on the stone floor.

"What have you done to your hair?" Hilda asked shocked. She stood once again next to the

Regent, her tears long forgotten.

The female genome smiled a secret smile, "Long hair would just be a hindrance traveling."

"Oh, I see." Hilda replied uncertainly.

"You look lovely," Cid said, getting the party back on track, "but there is no time to

waste. It will take at least a day to reach the Outer Continent. At least it will aboard the Prima

Vista II."

"Yeah I'll take you to say goodbye to the kids. Then Artania and I will take you to meet

Tantalus." Zidane clapped a hand on Artania's shoulder. The aging minister had appeared while

she was changing.

Mikoto nodded politely at the older man, "It is good to see you again, Minister."

"As always, it is my pleasure entirely. I am sure you are up to the challenge presented by

the Regent here." Artania replied cheerfully.

"C'mon! Let's go already!" Zidane interrupted, impatient. He then grabbed Mikoto's

hand and nearly dragged her out of the room, Artania following a bit perplexed behind.

----------------------------------------------------

Mikoto walked along the now more calm Zidane and Artania silently, lost amid her own

thoughts. Their boots echoed across the burgundy halls as they made their way to the guest room.

A journey to the Outer Continent.

The Iifa Tree…the source of Mist, siphon of souls, and convergence of Gaia and the

Lifestream.

She would be traveling there, possibly to destroy the mystical tree. What irony, she

spends the first part of her life preparing for the assimilation through the Iifa Tree. Now she

journeys to eventually bring it down. Sure, the mission was to just evaluate the situation, but she

knew when her brother got his way the tree would be nothing more than ash in the deserts of the

Outer Continent.

Speaking of her brother, Zidane plowed onward ahead, his face in an easygoing smile.

However, she knew the troubled emotions under the surface. He was worried, and a little

peeved. Apparently he thought he had done a good job of killing the tree and ultimately saving

the world ten years previous. He has the biggest ego, she thought, mentally shaking her head.

"We're here." the Minister announced, waving to the familiar guest room door. Artania

ushered Zidane and herself into where Eiko, Terra, and Leo were sitting quietly, for once. Eiko

was reading the children a story, however the book was soon forgotten as the two terrors

bounded towards Zidane and Mikoto.

"Daddy! Auntie! We were reading a story and-" Terra shouted happily, hugging her

father's legs.

"Woah! Enough! You're cutting off the circulation!" Zidane laughed at his over

enthusiastic daughter.

She cocked her head to the side, "What's 'sir-clue-lay-ton' ?"

He laughed at her childish question and knelt down on one knee, eye level with her,

"Sweetie," a serious tone and expression came to Zidane's countenance, "me and Mikoto are

going to leave for a while. I want you to be good for Eiko, Hilda, and Cid, okay?"

Terra's eyes became teary, "No! Don't leave! I promise I'll be good! Don't go away!" she

grabbed Zidane's leg again, not letting him go this time.

Mikoto's heart nearly broke at the sight of the distraught child. She knelt down too, "We'll

be back, don't you worry." She soothed, then wrapped her arms around her niece and used her

power to gently calm Terra and put her to sleep. The girl fell into Mikoto's waiting arms.

Eiko picked up and stepped forward with Leo. Zidane let Mikoto take Terra as he hugged

his son and kissed his forehead, "Be a good boy now."

Then so no one could see his tears, he turned and left the room. Mikoto felt his regret at

leaving his children well up inside of him. She didn't think he had ever been away from them

since they were born, and now to leave them, even with trusted friends, was breaking his heart.

Mikoto shook her head softly, getting a sympathetic look from Eiko. She took Terra to

the nearby bed and set her down, soothing the girl and sending thoughts of love and contentment

into her dreams. Pulling a blanket up to Terra's tiny nose, she left the peacefully sleeping girl to

follow Zidane out.

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Mikoto stepped out of the cool interior of the aircar and into the blistering heat of the late

summer afternoon. Hot air blasted into her face, and her lovely eyes watered from the smoke

hanging in the air.

Artania coughed delicately, "Right, this way please."

He led them into the Theater District. The roadways were lined with playhouses and

cinemas, all advertizing some show. Street performers danced, played, or sang for their

respective audiences. Everyone here, it seemed, put on a show.

The three walked down numerous cobblestone streets until a clock tower dominated the

scenery. It was an antique, and showed signs of multiple repairs, but still it rang true. Mikoto felt

the clock was the heart of the district.

They stopped in front of a young woman and a young man. The girl was rather plain, but

her face shone brilliantly. The young man stood close to her, obviously enjoying the company.

"Lucella? Bunce? Man you two got big! What're you doing hanging around losers like

these?" Zidane laughed, running up to them.

"I heard that!"

A large man followed the voice out of the playhouse door. He was colossal, with pointy

ears and goggles. It must have been…

"Baku, still up to your old tricks?" Zidane replied smartly.

Baku then dropped and sucker-punched Zidane in the gut. "Gwahahaha, if they were that

old wouldn't you've seen 'em comin'?"

Zidane lay on the ground, curled up and gasping for air, "Yeah right…sure."

Baku then noticed Artania, and Mikoto. "My, a pretty one, eh?"

Artania stepped forward, "This is Mikoto, the one Cid told you about." He seemed to

emphasize the word Cid, as if he didn't expect Baku to remember.

Zidane suddenly caught his breath and sprung up, his 'injury' forgotten. "She's my sister

so you better treat her good."

Baku just laughed, "And when was I ever harsh to a lady?"

He stepped towards Mikoto and lifted her hand and kissed it in a more gentlemanly like

manner than anyone thought possible. The female genome managed a smile.

Artania looked perplexed, "You seem to be in good company, I'll give the report to Cid."

and hurried away.

Zidane watched the Minister until he was out of earshot, "I think you creeped him out,

Baku."

"Gwahahahaha, it happens," he turned to Mikoto, and clapped a giant hand on her

shoulder, causing her to stumble under the weight, "come on, bet those blockheads didn't even

feed ya."

The suggestion of food brightened Mikoto's mood, and she gave Baku a real smile, "Lead

the way."

-------------------------------------------

Mikoto's eyes took a moment to adjust to the sudden lack of light, the inside of the

playhouse was surprisingly dark. Zidane and Baku walked farther in ahead of her, her brother

mistook her hesitation, he whispered, "Come on in, these guys are all show, nothing to worry

about."

Mikoto glared at him, even though it was wasted in the low light. "Then they are the ones

that should worry." She snarled.

Her brother backed away, arms raised in self-defense, "Mistake noted."

"Still can't fend for yourself?" a voice asked jokingly.

Zidane looked over to his long time friend, "Hey Blank, once you know what she's

capable of, you'll be scared too."

Her eyes now adjusted, Mikoto observed the owner of the voice. Blank leaned against the

near wall, arms crossed. Standing perhaps three or four inches taller than Zidane, he had a rather

lean physique. But what drew her attention was the belt wrapped around his head, obscuring his

eyes. She reached out with her emotional power, trying to read his aura. However, all she got was

a bewildered sense of mind, like he was supremely confused by something. Strange...

Zidane, after regaining his cool, as if the hot head was ever cool, she thought, came to

Mikoto's side, "Alright guys, this is my sister Mikoto. You better be good to her or she'll make

you pay."

Mikoto rolled her eyes as her brother chuckled at his joke, "Seriously though," he

gestured to a short, fat, red nosed man standing in a doorway, "that's Cinna, and Blank's over

there," he waved to the red head by the wall, "here's Marcus," Zidane pointed to a husky man

with a bandana sitting at a huge table, feet propped up, "and last, but certainly not least," he

winked, "is Baku."

Before she could even greet them, Zidane then turned her around and introduced the

young man and young woman just now coming in, "This is Lucella and Bunce, Tantalus' pride

and joy."

"Stow it, Zidane. It's time to eat." Baku interrupted as he bodily grabbed the two genomes

and hauled them towards the large round table Marcus was sitting at.

The rest of the group seated themselves as Cinna rushed off to bring in the food. Mikoto

found herself wedged between her brother and Baku. She didn't know what was worse, her

brother's table manners or Baku's bellowing voice.

"Gwahahaha, then we crashed into the-"

It was definitely Baku's voice.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After finishing dinner, Baku outlined the plan of action. "We're headed to the Outer

Continent, it'll take the Prima Vista II 'bout a day an' a half to get there. Once we land, we search

the Iifa Tree for Mist. Then we find whatever we're looking for and we head back to Lindblum.

Zidane will go to Alexandria and organize forces for whatever we're dealing with there."

He didn't exactly sound like he knew what he was talking about...

"What exactly are we looking for?" Blank asked, after sipping something from a mug.

Mikoto answered, "We are not entirely sure. It will be something out of the ordinary-"

"As if the Iifa Tree is ordinary-"

"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by Zidane," she gave him a look, "it

should be fairly obvious-"

"Count Cinna out then," the previously silent Bunce added.

Cinna's face turned as red as his nose, "Whaddya talking 'bout? I'm Master of the

Obvious!"

The entire table burst out laughing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once Cinna's embarrassment subsided, and everyone got all of the laughs out of their system,

Baku suggested. "So let's see what you're made of Mikoto, you come highly recommended."

A glint came to Mikoto's eyes, "You may regret it."

"Gwahahahahaha! I'll be careful little lady."

Stepping out of the dark, cool playhouse, and into the setting sun, the adventurers

prepared to battle. Marcus, Blank, Baku, and Zidane all had swords and Cinna had his trusty

hammer. The boy Bunce wielded a wicked looking spear and Lucella drew a dagger.

Mikoto carried no weapon, therefore she sharpened her mind while others sharpened their

blades. She focused her magical power, knowing she would need it.

Finishing up, the others circled Mikoto, surrounding her. Bunce was the first to attack,

stabbing at her with his spear. Mikoto dodged it and sent a slice of wind at the unprotected

wooden pole, splitting it in half. Her movement caused her to turn her back to Cinna, who failing

to see his opening in time, moved to late. He stumbled and fell as his powerful blow's momentum

sent him landing on the hard pavement face first.

The wind slices continued on between Zidane and Blank. They jumped up to avoid

getting hit. Mikoto now stood facing Marcus. He lifted his one-handed sword and slashed down,

but she couldn't avoid it without being in another's weapon range.

"Protect!"

Marcus' sword glanced off of the barrier, creating a sharp 'ping' sound. He brought back

the swordtip and swung horizontally, but it was a moment too late. Mikoto cast Water, and

Marcus found himself suspended in a giant bubble of water. Unable to contribute to the fight.

Lucella came up, slashing furiously. Mikoto wove back and forth, narrowly missing the

dagger's blade. The genome nearly ran into Baku, but used a Vanish spell so his blade went

through her and nearly hit Lucella. The girl tried blocking the sword with her dagger, but the

attack was too powerful, sending her weapon out of her numbed hands.

Mikoto now faced her final two opponents.

"Sweet moves, sis!" Zidane taunted, holding his sword up high.

She smiled wickedly, "They will look even better on the receiving end… Flare!"

The red light enveloped them. Curling strands of magic wrapped about their bodies, the

burning sensation choking the two. They raised their swords into a defensive position trying to

deflect some of the damage. But Mikoto's magic was strong and the two took damage.

Zidane pulled himself up, steadying himself on his double-edged polearm. Blank stood

and tossed his sword over his shoulder, leaning slightly.

Baku stood to the side with the others, "Two against one, you've got worse odds playing

poker, Gwahahaha!"

Blank gave him a lopsided grin, "Damn, thanks for the pep-talk Boss. Glad to know you

have such confidence."

"Especially for someone who took one swing then gave up." Zidane added.

Due to the little conversation break, Mikoto regained her stamina and was ready to cast

another spell. "Ready? This is a personal favorite, a slightly modified blue magic spell… Oglop

Drop!"

The insects started falling from the sky, bouncing towards Zidane and Blank. The

creatures were everywhere, mindlessly hopping around.

"I hate oglops!" the red head yelled, throwing down his sword in defeat. He quickly took

off to the sidelines, standing behind the bubble of water Marcus was in.

Zidane sighed melodramatically, "You guys are a bunch of wimps..." He then relaxed

from his attack stance, scratching the back of his head.

"Gwahahaha! Looks like Mikoto wins by an oglop!" Baku announced, again pounding the

victor on the shoulder. The genome looked ready to collapse.

Blank was rubbing the disgusting insect's feel off of his body, he seemed miserable, "I

can't stand those repulsive, dirty little-"

"Woah, take a breather there, Bro." Marcus consoled as he wrung out his shirt.

"I noticed Mikoto didn't have a weapon," Bunce spoke up softly, "what if magic isn't an

option?"

Zidane, however, heard. He brought a hand to his chin, deep in thought, "Baku, do you

still have my old booty?"

The Tantalus leader stopped his assault on Mikoto's shoulder, "Course I do! Needed it for

insurance in case I needed a new pair of goggles!" He laughed. Baku went back inside the

playhouse and returned a moment later with a small chest, which he promptly dumped right in

front of Zidane. The male genome went over and unlocked it, revealing cheap costume jewelry

and fake artifacts.

"No wonder you quit thievery, if that is your big haul." Mikoto remarked, clearly not

impressed.

Blank and Marcus snickered, while Zidane continued to dig in the chest, nonplused by her

remarks, "You need to have more faith in me, sis. Ah, here it is."

He pulled out a silver chakra. It was perfectly circular and razor sharp, and inlaid with

strange symbols and cut emeralds. The weapon was old as well, the silver tarnished and

scratched, but it was very beautiful. She wondered where her second-rate thief of a brother had

gotten it from.

Zidane came over to her and placed it within her hand. She lifted the chakra and

examined the perfect balance, spinning it in her palm. Satisfied with the craftsmanship, she

hefted the gift into her left hand, drew back, and threw as hard as she could.

The silver circlet spun through the boiling air, seeming to cut through it rather than just

pass through. Shafts of sunlight glinted off the irregular surface, making it a circular blur.

Then the whistling suddenly stopped as the chakra thudded halfway into the playhouse

wall.