Disclaimer: Blah blah blah... Blah.
Anyone else excited about Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children? I am! I even whipped out 7 to play
again! I hope they make a sequel thingy for 9, that would be super cool! Ummm...yeah. And if you
people want to you can IM me, my screen name is moonjump05, convenient isn't it? I might even tell
you about future plans for the story. And as always, review!
Chapter 22
Fire falls from the Sky.
The Undead rise from their Slumber.
The Wings of the Guardian will Protect.
Sacred Duty bound.
Yet, Pain will still come through
It's most assured Victory.
-------------------------------------------------
Victory...
If it could be called that.
Alexandria was gone, no longer a place of peace and safety. What remained was only death
and destruction. The morose sound of broken dreams and shattered lives was whispered by the wind.
An inescapable misery was left behind.
A misery that gripped it's victims relentlessly, never letting go. Never allowing for happiness or
comfort, or even a noncommital contentment. Always there, always holding on with clawing hands.
Tearing into the fragile flesh and ripping it apart, piece by piece. Crushing the frail heart, pounding it
into stone and ice. Burning the delicate psyche, leaving only maddening ashes.
Victory...
This was no victory.
-------------------------------------------------
(Mikoto had had enough. Enough of the killing. Enough of the destruction.
But she did not have enough rage. It seemed to grow, like an unwelcome infection. Reaching
into every part of her body it spread. A vicious burning, glowing red hot and not able to stop.
She did not want it to stop. This righteous rage.
She felt powerful, able to do anything. The entire world was at her fingertips. She had just to
reach out and take it.
Take it...
It was not hers to take.)
Mikoto snapped up, her eyes quickly focusing on the humanitarian efforts around her. She
drew a shaky breath, the vision playing back in her mind. Her soul had been filled with rage... and she
had welcomed it with open arms. She had accepted it into herself, drawing on it for power. Loving the
feeling it gave her.
That ravishing rage...
"No." She said quietly, the corrupt power dissolving away into nothingness. She looked away
from the seductive feeling, willing it gone. She banished it, forbidding it to ever reach her again.
She did not lust for power, or for the false promises it offered.
She would find her own power, one that did not rely on rage. The power that sprung from
one's own heart and soul. Then she could fix things, and make her home the peaceful place it should
be. She would have the power and purpose for the task.
Perhaps that is what separated the heroes from the villains. The ability to draw upon one's own
power, the inner flame that burned brightly in all living things.
She only hoped that her flame would be bright enough to guide her through her chosen task.
Yes, she had decided to fight for Gaia. Even if it took her life. She would not give up, and she would
not fail. She would live on and see the home she had never known she desired so deeply. She would
see the people she had grown to care for live in peace.
All this, because she was selfish. She did not want her home to be destroyed or taken away, or
the people to fade away from her sight. She merely wanted to live on, and nothing would stop her from
completing her goal.
Nothing.
-------------------------------------------------
Mikoto had never before slept so soundly, the typical restless tossing and turning were absent
as she collapsed onto her makeshift bed, namely a counter top with a blanket. She awoke to the
blinding rays of the sun, as they were focused through the window above her. Rubbing her face she sat
up slowly. Her sore muscles ached, she was still dirty from falling into the water puddle, and she was
nearly blind from the sun, but the rest had worked wonders for her overloaded brain.
Her thoughts were so clear, so wonderfully crisp and fresh as if nothing could ever muddle them
again. There was no lingering fear or misery, her mind had been swept clean, like a new slate. She
breathed deeply, smelling the harsh acrid odor of medical supplies and disinfectant.
"Lady Mikoto?" asked a soft voice.
The genome turned around to the kind face of Jane. The woman looked quite tattered, but
otherwise fine. The only visible sign of her manhandling by Kuja was the slight ring of discolorment
around her neck. She had been healed from any other injuries.
"I am glad to see you are well, Jane." She said.
"Yes, so am I.. But, others were not so lucky last night."
Mikoto shut her eyes for a moment, "Do you know how bad it was?"
"No," she paused, her voice sad, "But you should go and speak to the queen and her consort.
They...lost their daughter."
The horrifying image of Terra weeping flashed before her eyes, "Yes, I know. Thank you for
reminding me."
"I..." she continued, "I tried to tell them how sorry I was. Terra was so bright and full of life.
She had grown on me in the short time I knew her. But, no words came. I think they understood
though, so I left." she stopped for a second, "I wanted to ask you to tell them for me, how sorry I was.
To apologize for being such a coward."
Mikoto's heart reached out to the woman, "Of course I will tell them, do not worry another
moment on it." She then smiled reassuringly.
Jane seemed pleased, "Thank you." She then hurried out, probably embarrassed to be there.
The genome stretched a bit and slipped off of the counter top, folding the blanket neatly. She
would go and see Garnet and Zidane, they must be hurting greatly now. Not only for their daughter,
but for the kingdom as well. Then perhaps she should go and see Blank, the thief had been whisked
away after Kuja made his disappearing act, and she hadn't seen him since. His wound wasn't life-
threatening, but he would probably be in a lot of pain when he awoke from the high level cure spells no
doubt used on him. And that was if he was even conscious. She decided she would check in on him
just to be sure he was alright.
She smiled, like she even needed the excuse to go and see him.
-------------------------------------------------------
Mikoto walked into the elaborate throne room. The space was oddly quiet, and it's three
occupants merely stared at her. One pair of blue, and two pairs of brown eyes looked at her. Each set
strangely distant, not really seeing her in front of them.
Queen Garnet sat upon her throne, and her son Leo sat upon her lap. The toddler looked at
her, his large brown eyes saying what the quiet boy never could. She found it hard to believe that the
boy never made a single sound beyond a kind of whimpering when frightened. Even now he could not
express any audible distress at the abduction of his sister.
She went up to her queen and embraced her. The brunette hugged her back, a sob escaping
her lips. Then the young monarch was trembling, her sorrow permeating her entire being. Great
crystalline tears fell down her cheeks, and her breathing became ragged. Mikoto could feel the sorrow
lifting up from Garnet, that and regret and remorse. The mother was grieving for her lost child.
She felt her own tears threaten to spill. Her normally stoic face expressing the loss of her own
niece. She hugged the queen even tighter, trying in vain to comfort her. Garnet just cried more,
perhaps not wanting the pity of the genome.
"Mikoto? How could I let this happen?" She asked in between sobs. "How could I net even
protect my own daughter?" What kind of parent am I? An unanswered silent thought.
Mikoto's face softened, and her voice was sympathetic, "I do not think anything I tell you will
help. However, I do want to continue what has been started. Perhaps that will bring Terra back."
Zidane broke in, "Just what do you think you're going to do? We have no idea were that
bastard took Terra, much less how to stop him." he started to shake with rage, "We don't know what
the fuck is going on anymore! It's really pissing me off!"
She watched her brother. When he got upset he got angry, really angry. And now he was
flung into a position he had no way of escaping, it must have crowded him, and made him feel like a
caged animal.
A caged animal is the most dangerous kind.
"Zidane calm down!" Mikoto commanded, "That will get you no where fast." She looked
around pointedly, "Quit this moping! You are the Queen of Alexandria and her consort! You have
lost, and I can not even comprehend that feeling, but your country is in shambles and your people are
hurting. Start doing your job!"
They both stared at her outburst, totally contradictory to her more subdued nature.
She continued, "I will seek out Kuja."
He looked to her, "Oh, okay...WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO
DO? HUH? Mikoto, I respect your fighting prowess, but Kuja is way out of your league. It took all of
us: Dagger, Eiko, Vivi, Amarant, Rusty, Freya, Quina, and myself to defeat him. What makes you
think you can take him out by yourself?"
She paused, should she tell him? Should she tell him of her dreams in the Lifestream? Or her
adventure in limbo? Would they believe her? And most important, would they let her try?
"Zidane...I should tell you something."
So she told them. Told them of her lingering dreams pointing to the destruction of Lindblum,
with the fading laugh. She told them of the dream the night of the attack on the children, the one that
started it all. The one where she heard Terra crying. She told them of the dream where she had seen
herself, standing on a foreign battlefield. She told them of her trip into the Lifestream, of the woman she
had talked to there. She told them of the spectre, the one with the white eyes. The one who told her to
leave. She told them of her recent trip into limbo. How the ghosts had passed right through her, and
the boiling cauldron of souls in the sky.
Then she told them of her lingering doubts, how she could not piece the puzzle together.
They were silent for a moment.
Zidane spoke, slowly and softly, "Mikoto, why didn't you tell us before?"
Her eyes narrowed, "I was afraid you would think I was crazy."
"Don't you understand? This could of helped us! I have seen and heard way too many things
to think you were crazy. Even if you were having strange dreams. But...I don't think they were dreams
Mikoto."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
He took a deep breath, "You've always had powers, Mikoto. Just like us." he meant Kuja and
himself, "But fundamentally different. Maybe your powers are growing. I think...I think that your
dreams may be more like visions."
"Visions?" she breathed.
"Yes!" Garnet suddenly spoke up, "That would make so much sense! When Garland created
the three 'angels' he made sure you were all different. Not just from the other genomes but also each
other. Kuja had tremendous magical power, and Zidane was more of a physical fighter. But you
Mikoto, you had a power of mind, even when we were searching so many years ago it showed."
The female genome's eyebrows furrowed, "My mental powers? You think that I may be
seeing the future?"
"Or just through other's eyes." Garnet added.
"Hey, I always did call you my personal psychic!" Zidane laughed.
"Even if I am...I still do not know how it all fits together."
Zidane waved his arms, "It always comes together in the end, it's funny that way."
Mikoto nodded, not quite ready to believe him. Garnet noticed this and said, "Perhaps you
should go and see Dr. Tot. He always has an answer. Maybe the pieces will start to come together."
"I think I will."
When she turned to leave, Zidane spoke up, "Hey, sis, don't ever think you're crazy...I never
did."
She smiled at that.
---------------------------------------------------------
(Mikoto raised her hand to shield her eyes from the light that bombarded her senses every time
Kuja destroyed a piece of Terra.
Huge, angry explosions filled her vision and the deafening roar ringed in her head.
And above her small form was her brother Kuja. The normally silver genome had become a
crimson angel of death. His blood red body mirroring the red explosions all around.
The ground underneath Mikoto shook as pieces of Terra came crashing down, their crystalline
forms shattering.
She watched Kuja escape the destruction on his silver dragon. Their shimmering forms fading
into the sky as more explosions brought Mikoto's gaze back around her.
The pieces of Terra came down around her. The debris rushing past. Pieces of her former
home fell and exploded-almost in slow motion. Mikoto could see each individual piece meet it's demise.
It was like being an ant in a rainstorm. The huge crystals fell and splattered like the raindrops
she watched so often.
The rain she found so depressing.
Mikoto watched the final moments of Terra. She watched her home be destroyed.
She closed her eyes...
...but a tear escaped and fell along with it's crystalline brothers.
They hung suspended in the air, the light from the other's destruction only serving to make their
descent a sparkling array of reflections. Creating a finite beauty.
The tear ended it's journey-shattering along with it's fallen brethren.
It's destruction signaled by a brilliant flash of light...)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mikoto fingered the compass as it hung around her neck. She would go and see Blank later,
right now she needed to check in on Beatrix.
She found the general in her quarters, sitting silently at the window. Her one uncovered eye
staring into nothingness. The Excalibur and Save the Queen were in front of her, laying side by side on
the table. Yellow sunlight made the two steel blades glow in the otherwise darkened room.
"Hello, Mikoto."
Her voice was so soft she could barely hear it. "Good day to you, Beatrix." she said formally.
"You are not going to express your sympathies?"
The genome shook her head, "That is not what you want."
The general sighed deeply, "No...I suppose I don't want any one's pity."
"No one pities you. We merely want you not to sit in this darkened room all day."
Beatrix smiled slightly at that, "Mikoto, do you always know exactly what to say?"
"Yes."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(The young genome awoke in the dark. A black void.
She looked around, expecting.
But nothing came.
Then multicolored lights flashed by overhead, illuminating the dreamscape. The flares spiraled
and crashed into the ground. Sparkling like fireworks.
Mikoto looked around, not recognizing the burned and blistered locale. The ground smoked,
plumes rising into the strangely illuminated sky.
A battleground.
She floated across the scenery, heat radiating from the ground. Looking forward she saw a
light.
Eyes widening she was drawn in.
--It's her--
Mikoto was looking into a light, then a shape obscured her view.
--Not again--
She felt a cool hand against her fevered cheek. A feeling of warmth and comfort entered her
heart, she had never felt so loved.
Tears streamed down her cheek.
Taking a deep breath, relishing the moment, she gazed upward.
--Why?--
The shape was coming into view. She could distinguish a head and shoulders. Light was
highlighting blonde hair, creating a halo-like effect. The person was leaning forward, creamy skin came
closer. She got excited, the pink lips and delicate features.
The person came closer.
Then the light reflected off of the person's eyes, turning them a bright green.
It's me.
Mikoto looked at herself, saw how the shadows danced across her face. How soft her skin
was. How her delicate face glowed.
She was beautiful.
--Beautiful--
She saw herself look away for a moment, a worried expression came to her face. Mikoto tried
to get up, but she saw herself push herself back down. She saw her mouth open…but no words came.
She smiled.
She saw herself lean in, eyes halflidded. Mikoto saw a reflection in her eyes. The reflection
turned into a face, but before any features could be discerned, she blinked.
The scenery changed. Mikoto saw herself facing away, looking over the battlefield.
She walked up to herself.
--Don't cry--
She saw herself turn around, tears in her eyes. The wind blew the moisture away, the droplets
hanging in the air.
Time froze.
The firework like lights, stopped in streaks, arcing over Mikoto.
She saw herself look about, then step forward.
When her foot touched the ground, ripples flowed like waves across the soil. Leaving in their
wake new spring grasses and wildflowers. The burned desert had turned into a blossoming meadow.
The ground beneath her feet rumbled and shook. Then fully grown trees shot out of the ground,
branches opening like the petals of a sunflower.
The plumes of smoke twisted and curled upwards, the black melting away to reveal puffy white
clouds. Behind them the frozen streaks of light started spinning together, almost as if in a whirlpool.
They condensed into a brilliant yellow orb.
The newly formed sun rose high into the sky.
Mikoto saw herself gaze outward, a content look upon her face.
--If only…--
She felt she had been waiting for this moment her entire life, that she was still waiting for this
moment, but feared it may never come.
--If only…only…)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mikoto made a quick detour to her rooms. There she bathed and changed into some clean
clothes. She pinned up her short hair which was still slightly damp, and pushed back the loose tendrils
behind her tiny ears. Her new skirt was crisp and starched; it was colored a pale peach. The vest like
top was a darker red, and the full sleeves were a bleach white. She still wore the black choker that had
protected her against Vivi's shadow magic, but in addition was the pendant Blank had given her.
She felt a lot better now. It was amazing what a simple bath did to her aching muscles.
Mikoto went down to the busy part of the castle. This was where the injured were being taken.
Things had calmed down here quite a bit. Most of the healers were either asleep or visiting relatives
and friends. The newly healed patients were out in the city, recovering the pieces of their shattered lives
and homes. Only the critical patients remained, resting in their sterile beds.
She wove her way in and out of the beds, sliding between the rolling trays and chairs. She
passed many victims of Kuja's attack, some better off than others. However she couldn't find the thief
she was looking for. She saw a plume of red hair that could only be the bounty hunter, but he looked
preoccupied at the moment.
Mikoto had just begun to think he wasn't there when she heard a familiar voice, "Damn it! I'm
perfectly fine! I don't see any reason why I can't leave-"
"Please keep your voice down, other patients are resting." A tired sounding man said.
Blank seemed to realize he was drawing the attention of everyone in the ward, "Look," he said
more calmly, "there's no reason for me to be here, my leg is fine. If you would just let me leave I
wouldn't be causing this much trouble."
The man rubbed his face, "I'll talk to the head doctor, if she gives her permission you can
leave."
The thief shook his head, "Fine, fine." He slumped into his bed, and sighed a bit
melodramatically. The doctor hurried off, muttering under his breath.
Mikoto stepped forward tentatively, apparently Blank had not seen her yet, "You really should
not chew his head off like that."
His face turned towards her, his eyes masked by that belt, "Hey, Mikoto. What're you doing
down here?"
She smiled, "I came to see you. How is your leg?"
"It's fine! But these morons won't let me leave! I've been stuck in here forever!"
The genome sat down on the bed next to him, "From all the commotion you made, I am sure
they will let you leave now."
"'Bout time, too."
She frowned, "Does it still hurt?"
"No...I was knocked out for the most part. Then by the time I woke up it was already healed."
"That is good."
He shrugged, "Yeah, but...how's Zidane holding up? I haven't seen him."
She looked away, "He and Garnet are grieving."
"Bet he was shouting about a bastard Kuja, huh?"
"You know him very well." she smiled inwardly.
"Not really, he's just so predictable."
Mikoto glanced at the thief through the corner of her eye. He was sitting next to her so she only
saw his profile, and not for the first time she found herself wondering why he never took off that belt
covering his eyes.
She leaned a bit closer, "Blank?"
He leaned back a fraction, "Yes...?"
She studied him curiously for a moment, "Why do you wear that thing over your eyes?"
"Umm...well...I'd rather not answer that..." he gave her a lopsided smile.
Mikoto's brow crinkled, "Why not?"
He paused, then leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Trust me."
She rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I wonder why I do."
He seemed pleased, "You trust me?"
The genome looked over to him, and said hesitantly, "Yes..."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you?"
Why indeed? She did trust him, but at first it had more to do with the feelings she felt from him.
Not from actual actions or words. However, now she trusted the thief, perhaps more than anyone else.
It was a strange revelation.
"I felt I could trust you."
He laughed, "Isn't it a bit foolish to rely so heavily on feelings?"
She snorted, "Not when I am involved."
"Huh?"
Mikoto paused, she had decided to tell him, "I can...feel other people's emotions. And to a
certain extent, influence them. But lately my power has been growing, and-"
"You can influence other's emotions?"
She looked to him, "Yes, but only-"
His voice took a harsh tone, "You can make people feel things they might not otherwise feel?"
Her heart started to beat rapidly, "Yes..."
"And why didn't you tell me this?" his voice was angry.
"I just did."
He seemed not to hear her, "I thought you trusted me."
"I do!"
Blank turned away from her, crossing his arms, his voice now small, "I...thought you liked me."
Her chest ached at hearing his words, "I...do..."
His jaw clenched tightly, "How do I know that you didn't put this feeling into me?"
"What?" she breathed, "What feeling?"
He thought she was influencing him? That information rose many questions, but what feeling
was he talking about? Her heart resumed its rapid pace, and her throat was dry. She almost couldn't
think it. A sickening weight settled in her stomach, what if she was right?
"Mikoto," his voice was sad, broken, "I want you to leave."
Anyone else excited about Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children? I am! I even whipped out 7 to play
again! I hope they make a sequel thingy for 9, that would be super cool! Ummm...yeah. And if you
people want to you can IM me, my screen name is moonjump05, convenient isn't it? I might even tell
you about future plans for the story. And as always, review!
Chapter 22
Fire falls from the Sky.
The Undead rise from their Slumber.
The Wings of the Guardian will Protect.
Sacred Duty bound.
Yet, Pain will still come through
It's most assured Victory.
-------------------------------------------------
Victory...
If it could be called that.
Alexandria was gone, no longer a place of peace and safety. What remained was only death
and destruction. The morose sound of broken dreams and shattered lives was whispered by the wind.
An inescapable misery was left behind.
A misery that gripped it's victims relentlessly, never letting go. Never allowing for happiness or
comfort, or even a noncommital contentment. Always there, always holding on with clawing hands.
Tearing into the fragile flesh and ripping it apart, piece by piece. Crushing the frail heart, pounding it
into stone and ice. Burning the delicate psyche, leaving only maddening ashes.
Victory...
This was no victory.
-------------------------------------------------
(Mikoto had had enough. Enough of the killing. Enough of the destruction.
But she did not have enough rage. It seemed to grow, like an unwelcome infection. Reaching
into every part of her body it spread. A vicious burning, glowing red hot and not able to stop.
She did not want it to stop. This righteous rage.
She felt powerful, able to do anything. The entire world was at her fingertips. She had just to
reach out and take it.
Take it...
It was not hers to take.)
Mikoto snapped up, her eyes quickly focusing on the humanitarian efforts around her. She
drew a shaky breath, the vision playing back in her mind. Her soul had been filled with rage... and she
had welcomed it with open arms. She had accepted it into herself, drawing on it for power. Loving the
feeling it gave her.
That ravishing rage...
"No." She said quietly, the corrupt power dissolving away into nothingness. She looked away
from the seductive feeling, willing it gone. She banished it, forbidding it to ever reach her again.
She did not lust for power, or for the false promises it offered.
She would find her own power, one that did not rely on rage. The power that sprung from
one's own heart and soul. Then she could fix things, and make her home the peaceful place it should
be. She would have the power and purpose for the task.
Perhaps that is what separated the heroes from the villains. The ability to draw upon one's own
power, the inner flame that burned brightly in all living things.
She only hoped that her flame would be bright enough to guide her through her chosen task.
Yes, she had decided to fight for Gaia. Even if it took her life. She would not give up, and she would
not fail. She would live on and see the home she had never known she desired so deeply. She would
see the people she had grown to care for live in peace.
All this, because she was selfish. She did not want her home to be destroyed or taken away, or
the people to fade away from her sight. She merely wanted to live on, and nothing would stop her from
completing her goal.
Nothing.
-------------------------------------------------
Mikoto had never before slept so soundly, the typical restless tossing and turning were absent
as she collapsed onto her makeshift bed, namely a counter top with a blanket. She awoke to the
blinding rays of the sun, as they were focused through the window above her. Rubbing her face she sat
up slowly. Her sore muscles ached, she was still dirty from falling into the water puddle, and she was
nearly blind from the sun, but the rest had worked wonders for her overloaded brain.
Her thoughts were so clear, so wonderfully crisp and fresh as if nothing could ever muddle them
again. There was no lingering fear or misery, her mind had been swept clean, like a new slate. She
breathed deeply, smelling the harsh acrid odor of medical supplies and disinfectant.
"Lady Mikoto?" asked a soft voice.
The genome turned around to the kind face of Jane. The woman looked quite tattered, but
otherwise fine. The only visible sign of her manhandling by Kuja was the slight ring of discolorment
around her neck. She had been healed from any other injuries.
"I am glad to see you are well, Jane." She said.
"Yes, so am I.. But, others were not so lucky last night."
Mikoto shut her eyes for a moment, "Do you know how bad it was?"
"No," she paused, her voice sad, "But you should go and speak to the queen and her consort.
They...lost their daughter."
The horrifying image of Terra weeping flashed before her eyes, "Yes, I know. Thank you for
reminding me."
"I..." she continued, "I tried to tell them how sorry I was. Terra was so bright and full of life.
She had grown on me in the short time I knew her. But, no words came. I think they understood
though, so I left." she stopped for a second, "I wanted to ask you to tell them for me, how sorry I was.
To apologize for being such a coward."
Mikoto's heart reached out to the woman, "Of course I will tell them, do not worry another
moment on it." She then smiled reassuringly.
Jane seemed pleased, "Thank you." She then hurried out, probably embarrassed to be there.
The genome stretched a bit and slipped off of the counter top, folding the blanket neatly. She
would go and see Garnet and Zidane, they must be hurting greatly now. Not only for their daughter,
but for the kingdom as well. Then perhaps she should go and see Blank, the thief had been whisked
away after Kuja made his disappearing act, and she hadn't seen him since. His wound wasn't life-
threatening, but he would probably be in a lot of pain when he awoke from the high level cure spells no
doubt used on him. And that was if he was even conscious. She decided she would check in on him
just to be sure he was alright.
She smiled, like she even needed the excuse to go and see him.
-------------------------------------------------------
Mikoto walked into the elaborate throne room. The space was oddly quiet, and it's three
occupants merely stared at her. One pair of blue, and two pairs of brown eyes looked at her. Each set
strangely distant, not really seeing her in front of them.
Queen Garnet sat upon her throne, and her son Leo sat upon her lap. The toddler looked at
her, his large brown eyes saying what the quiet boy never could. She found it hard to believe that the
boy never made a single sound beyond a kind of whimpering when frightened. Even now he could not
express any audible distress at the abduction of his sister.
She went up to her queen and embraced her. The brunette hugged her back, a sob escaping
her lips. Then the young monarch was trembling, her sorrow permeating her entire being. Great
crystalline tears fell down her cheeks, and her breathing became ragged. Mikoto could feel the sorrow
lifting up from Garnet, that and regret and remorse. The mother was grieving for her lost child.
She felt her own tears threaten to spill. Her normally stoic face expressing the loss of her own
niece. She hugged the queen even tighter, trying in vain to comfort her. Garnet just cried more,
perhaps not wanting the pity of the genome.
"Mikoto? How could I let this happen?" She asked in between sobs. "How could I net even
protect my own daughter?" What kind of parent am I? An unanswered silent thought.
Mikoto's face softened, and her voice was sympathetic, "I do not think anything I tell you will
help. However, I do want to continue what has been started. Perhaps that will bring Terra back."
Zidane broke in, "Just what do you think you're going to do? We have no idea were that
bastard took Terra, much less how to stop him." he started to shake with rage, "We don't know what
the fuck is going on anymore! It's really pissing me off!"
She watched her brother. When he got upset he got angry, really angry. And now he was
flung into a position he had no way of escaping, it must have crowded him, and made him feel like a
caged animal.
A caged animal is the most dangerous kind.
"Zidane calm down!" Mikoto commanded, "That will get you no where fast." She looked
around pointedly, "Quit this moping! You are the Queen of Alexandria and her consort! You have
lost, and I can not even comprehend that feeling, but your country is in shambles and your people are
hurting. Start doing your job!"
They both stared at her outburst, totally contradictory to her more subdued nature.
She continued, "I will seek out Kuja."
He looked to her, "Oh, okay...WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO
DO? HUH? Mikoto, I respect your fighting prowess, but Kuja is way out of your league. It took all of
us: Dagger, Eiko, Vivi, Amarant, Rusty, Freya, Quina, and myself to defeat him. What makes you
think you can take him out by yourself?"
She paused, should she tell him? Should she tell him of her dreams in the Lifestream? Or her
adventure in limbo? Would they believe her? And most important, would they let her try?
"Zidane...I should tell you something."
So she told them. Told them of her lingering dreams pointing to the destruction of Lindblum,
with the fading laugh. She told them of the dream the night of the attack on the children, the one that
started it all. The one where she heard Terra crying. She told them of the dream where she had seen
herself, standing on a foreign battlefield. She told them of her trip into the Lifestream, of the woman she
had talked to there. She told them of the spectre, the one with the white eyes. The one who told her to
leave. She told them of her recent trip into limbo. How the ghosts had passed right through her, and
the boiling cauldron of souls in the sky.
Then she told them of her lingering doubts, how she could not piece the puzzle together.
They were silent for a moment.
Zidane spoke, slowly and softly, "Mikoto, why didn't you tell us before?"
Her eyes narrowed, "I was afraid you would think I was crazy."
"Don't you understand? This could of helped us! I have seen and heard way too many things
to think you were crazy. Even if you were having strange dreams. But...I don't think they were dreams
Mikoto."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
He took a deep breath, "You've always had powers, Mikoto. Just like us." he meant Kuja and
himself, "But fundamentally different. Maybe your powers are growing. I think...I think that your
dreams may be more like visions."
"Visions?" she breathed.
"Yes!" Garnet suddenly spoke up, "That would make so much sense! When Garland created
the three 'angels' he made sure you were all different. Not just from the other genomes but also each
other. Kuja had tremendous magical power, and Zidane was more of a physical fighter. But you
Mikoto, you had a power of mind, even when we were searching so many years ago it showed."
The female genome's eyebrows furrowed, "My mental powers? You think that I may be
seeing the future?"
"Or just through other's eyes." Garnet added.
"Hey, I always did call you my personal psychic!" Zidane laughed.
"Even if I am...I still do not know how it all fits together."
Zidane waved his arms, "It always comes together in the end, it's funny that way."
Mikoto nodded, not quite ready to believe him. Garnet noticed this and said, "Perhaps you
should go and see Dr. Tot. He always has an answer. Maybe the pieces will start to come together."
"I think I will."
When she turned to leave, Zidane spoke up, "Hey, sis, don't ever think you're crazy...I never
did."
She smiled at that.
---------------------------------------------------------
(Mikoto raised her hand to shield her eyes from the light that bombarded her senses every time
Kuja destroyed a piece of Terra.
Huge, angry explosions filled her vision and the deafening roar ringed in her head.
And above her small form was her brother Kuja. The normally silver genome had become a
crimson angel of death. His blood red body mirroring the red explosions all around.
The ground underneath Mikoto shook as pieces of Terra came crashing down, their crystalline
forms shattering.
She watched Kuja escape the destruction on his silver dragon. Their shimmering forms fading
into the sky as more explosions brought Mikoto's gaze back around her.
The pieces of Terra came down around her. The debris rushing past. Pieces of her former
home fell and exploded-almost in slow motion. Mikoto could see each individual piece meet it's demise.
It was like being an ant in a rainstorm. The huge crystals fell and splattered like the raindrops
she watched so often.
The rain she found so depressing.
Mikoto watched the final moments of Terra. She watched her home be destroyed.
She closed her eyes...
...but a tear escaped and fell along with it's crystalline brothers.
They hung suspended in the air, the light from the other's destruction only serving to make their
descent a sparkling array of reflections. Creating a finite beauty.
The tear ended it's journey-shattering along with it's fallen brethren.
It's destruction signaled by a brilliant flash of light...)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mikoto fingered the compass as it hung around her neck. She would go and see Blank later,
right now she needed to check in on Beatrix.
She found the general in her quarters, sitting silently at the window. Her one uncovered eye
staring into nothingness. The Excalibur and Save the Queen were in front of her, laying side by side on
the table. Yellow sunlight made the two steel blades glow in the otherwise darkened room.
"Hello, Mikoto."
Her voice was so soft she could barely hear it. "Good day to you, Beatrix." she said formally.
"You are not going to express your sympathies?"
The genome shook her head, "That is not what you want."
The general sighed deeply, "No...I suppose I don't want any one's pity."
"No one pities you. We merely want you not to sit in this darkened room all day."
Beatrix smiled slightly at that, "Mikoto, do you always know exactly what to say?"
"Yes."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(The young genome awoke in the dark. A black void.
She looked around, expecting.
But nothing came.
Then multicolored lights flashed by overhead, illuminating the dreamscape. The flares spiraled
and crashed into the ground. Sparkling like fireworks.
Mikoto looked around, not recognizing the burned and blistered locale. The ground smoked,
plumes rising into the strangely illuminated sky.
A battleground.
She floated across the scenery, heat radiating from the ground. Looking forward she saw a
light.
Eyes widening she was drawn in.
--It's her--
Mikoto was looking into a light, then a shape obscured her view.
--Not again--
She felt a cool hand against her fevered cheek. A feeling of warmth and comfort entered her
heart, she had never felt so loved.
Tears streamed down her cheek.
Taking a deep breath, relishing the moment, she gazed upward.
--Why?--
The shape was coming into view. She could distinguish a head and shoulders. Light was
highlighting blonde hair, creating a halo-like effect. The person was leaning forward, creamy skin came
closer. She got excited, the pink lips and delicate features.
The person came closer.
Then the light reflected off of the person's eyes, turning them a bright green.
It's me.
Mikoto looked at herself, saw how the shadows danced across her face. How soft her skin
was. How her delicate face glowed.
She was beautiful.
--Beautiful--
She saw herself look away for a moment, a worried expression came to her face. Mikoto tried
to get up, but she saw herself push herself back down. She saw her mouth open…but no words came.
She smiled.
She saw herself lean in, eyes halflidded. Mikoto saw a reflection in her eyes. The reflection
turned into a face, but before any features could be discerned, she blinked.
The scenery changed. Mikoto saw herself facing away, looking over the battlefield.
She walked up to herself.
--Don't cry--
She saw herself turn around, tears in her eyes. The wind blew the moisture away, the droplets
hanging in the air.
Time froze.
The firework like lights, stopped in streaks, arcing over Mikoto.
She saw herself look about, then step forward.
When her foot touched the ground, ripples flowed like waves across the soil. Leaving in their
wake new spring grasses and wildflowers. The burned desert had turned into a blossoming meadow.
The ground beneath her feet rumbled and shook. Then fully grown trees shot out of the ground,
branches opening like the petals of a sunflower.
The plumes of smoke twisted and curled upwards, the black melting away to reveal puffy white
clouds. Behind them the frozen streaks of light started spinning together, almost as if in a whirlpool.
They condensed into a brilliant yellow orb.
The newly formed sun rose high into the sky.
Mikoto saw herself gaze outward, a content look upon her face.
--If only…--
She felt she had been waiting for this moment her entire life, that she was still waiting for this
moment, but feared it may never come.
--If only…only…)
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mikoto made a quick detour to her rooms. There she bathed and changed into some clean
clothes. She pinned up her short hair which was still slightly damp, and pushed back the loose tendrils
behind her tiny ears. Her new skirt was crisp and starched; it was colored a pale peach. The vest like
top was a darker red, and the full sleeves were a bleach white. She still wore the black choker that had
protected her against Vivi's shadow magic, but in addition was the pendant Blank had given her.
She felt a lot better now. It was amazing what a simple bath did to her aching muscles.
Mikoto went down to the busy part of the castle. This was where the injured were being taken.
Things had calmed down here quite a bit. Most of the healers were either asleep or visiting relatives
and friends. The newly healed patients were out in the city, recovering the pieces of their shattered lives
and homes. Only the critical patients remained, resting in their sterile beds.
She wove her way in and out of the beds, sliding between the rolling trays and chairs. She
passed many victims of Kuja's attack, some better off than others. However she couldn't find the thief
she was looking for. She saw a plume of red hair that could only be the bounty hunter, but he looked
preoccupied at the moment.
Mikoto had just begun to think he wasn't there when she heard a familiar voice, "Damn it! I'm
perfectly fine! I don't see any reason why I can't leave-"
"Please keep your voice down, other patients are resting." A tired sounding man said.
Blank seemed to realize he was drawing the attention of everyone in the ward, "Look," he said
more calmly, "there's no reason for me to be here, my leg is fine. If you would just let me leave I
wouldn't be causing this much trouble."
The man rubbed his face, "I'll talk to the head doctor, if she gives her permission you can
leave."
The thief shook his head, "Fine, fine." He slumped into his bed, and sighed a bit
melodramatically. The doctor hurried off, muttering under his breath.
Mikoto stepped forward tentatively, apparently Blank had not seen her yet, "You really should
not chew his head off like that."
His face turned towards her, his eyes masked by that belt, "Hey, Mikoto. What're you doing
down here?"
She smiled, "I came to see you. How is your leg?"
"It's fine! But these morons won't let me leave! I've been stuck in here forever!"
The genome sat down on the bed next to him, "From all the commotion you made, I am sure
they will let you leave now."
"'Bout time, too."
She frowned, "Does it still hurt?"
"No...I was knocked out for the most part. Then by the time I woke up it was already healed."
"That is good."
He shrugged, "Yeah, but...how's Zidane holding up? I haven't seen him."
She looked away, "He and Garnet are grieving."
"Bet he was shouting about a bastard Kuja, huh?"
"You know him very well." she smiled inwardly.
"Not really, he's just so predictable."
Mikoto glanced at the thief through the corner of her eye. He was sitting next to her so she only
saw his profile, and not for the first time she found herself wondering why he never took off that belt
covering his eyes.
She leaned a bit closer, "Blank?"
He leaned back a fraction, "Yes...?"
She studied him curiously for a moment, "Why do you wear that thing over your eyes?"
"Umm...well...I'd rather not answer that..." he gave her a lopsided smile.
Mikoto's brow crinkled, "Why not?"
He paused, then leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Trust me."
She rolled her eyes, "Sometimes I wonder why I do."
He seemed pleased, "You trust me?"
The genome looked over to him, and said hesitantly, "Yes..."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you?"
Why indeed? She did trust him, but at first it had more to do with the feelings she felt from him.
Not from actual actions or words. However, now she trusted the thief, perhaps more than anyone else.
It was a strange revelation.
"I felt I could trust you."
He laughed, "Isn't it a bit foolish to rely so heavily on feelings?"
She snorted, "Not when I am involved."
"Huh?"
Mikoto paused, she had decided to tell him, "I can...feel other people's emotions. And to a
certain extent, influence them. But lately my power has been growing, and-"
"You can influence other's emotions?"
She looked to him, "Yes, but only-"
His voice took a harsh tone, "You can make people feel things they might not otherwise feel?"
Her heart started to beat rapidly, "Yes..."
"And why didn't you tell me this?" his voice was angry.
"I just did."
He seemed not to hear her, "I thought you trusted me."
"I do!"
Blank turned away from her, crossing his arms, his voice now small, "I...thought you liked me."
Her chest ached at hearing his words, "I...do..."
His jaw clenched tightly, "How do I know that you didn't put this feeling into me?"
"What?" she breathed, "What feeling?"
He thought she was influencing him? That information rose many questions, but what feeling
was he talking about? Her heart resumed its rapid pace, and her throat was dry. She almost couldn't
think it. A sickening weight settled in her stomach, what if she was right?
"Mikoto," his voice was sad, broken, "I want you to leave."
