Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue.
*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Whoa, I actually typed out 'author's note' instead of using the
little 'A/N' abbreviation. I'm becoming less lazy! Dude....anyhoo. Having fun
doing this story, I think is the last chapter I'm doing for the day. Yes, I typed all
the past chapters in one day *01.24.04 if you're curious*. But, like before, I'm
gonna be evil and only post one chapter a week. It increases the odds of you
guys leaving reviews!
Good news with my life, my skool is probably going to be establishing a Dance
Dance Revolution club, for this I am happy. Not saying that I'm good, hell, I
nearly fell on my ass on the last lesson of the second tutorial, but I still have fun
and enjoy the music. My boyfriend says that its only possible for Asian people to
be good at it...oddly enough....it pretty much holds true...Asian people are good
at DDR...*runs off before Asian people in audience decide to throw stuff at my
head*
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`
Chapter 5: Ice Cavern's Guardian
*`*`*`*`*`
Zidane looked down to Ipsen, Vivi and Steiner, all were knocked out cold in the
snow. The genome turned his glance to Black Waltz No. 1 as he stood on his high
perch. The black waltz looked much more different than twenty years in the past,
stronger and healthier than before. His wings looked broader and more fully
fledged, although he still had the slight hunch in his back. The creature took to
the air and roared a spell command. "Blizzada!"
Kuja quickly cast a spell to deflect the spear-like shards of ice as they hurled
down at him. He raised his arm, in hopes of regaining control of the creature, as
he had done to Ipsen, but to no avail. Kuja grimaced as the waltz landed near
him. Zidane shook his head in confusion. "Black Waltz No. 1....?"
"Surprised to be bested by your own work, hm?" the waltz chuckled, adjusting
his hat. "Now, the crystal if you will."
"You expect me to just give it to you?" Kuja chuckled. "You think just because I
can no longer completely control you like a black mage, you're better than them?
Moreover, that you're more powerful than me?"
"Give it back!" No. 1 roared, spreading his wings and swinging his bell. Kuja
merely put his hand to the waltz's forehead.
"Good bye," he muttered and let an electric spell loose, completely knocking the
waltz off the ridge and into the snow. Kuja smirked. "Too easy."
Zidane began running up the ridge, his Ultima weapon raised to attack Kuja. He
chuckled again and raised his hand. "Poor fool," Kuja spat and cast another spell,
the conjuration making Zidane feel very tired. The blonde genome slipped into a
forced slumber as Kuja blasted the ice away from the exit. Before he could leave,
Sea Lion swiped at him with a flipper and snarled, intent on revenge for her
master's defeat.
"Stupid animal," Kuja muttered, removing an unseen weapon from his belt.
Sea Lion fell through the pond's slightly iced surface, the crystal clear water
becoming a tainted red as the massive creature's life and blood drained away.
*`*`*`*`*`
"Ugh...." Zidane murmured, getting up and rubbing his head. He looked about,
the waterfall had once again thawed and was pouring into the red pond. "What
the...?"
He winced when he saw Sea Lion's half frozen corpse floating in the water, a
deep gash on her throat, blood covering the usual white and blue fur. He looked
about. Ipsen, Vivi, Steiner, and Black Waltz No. 1 were still laying on the ground.
He quickly scrambled over to Vivi, his face was soaked in his own blood, the
snow colored red with it. Zidane touched Vivi's face and sighed. "At least it
clotted quickly." He turned to Steiner and examined the knight.
"No big deal Rusty," he muttered and ambled over to Ipsen. "Probably gonna get
a bruise from that one Imp, but nothing to worry about."
Zidane then made his way over to Black Waltz No. 1 and examined him. "A few
first degree burns on your face, but that's good compared to what COULD have
happened."
The waltz stirred at Zidane's comment, instantly putting the genome into a stage
of alert. Zidane hopped back and grabbed his weapon, ready to attack. No. 1
pulled himself out of the snow, rubbed his head and spotted Zidane in his
offensive position. He gasped and raised his hands.
"N-no, don't attack me! Please, I-I mean you no harm this time! I swear," the
waltz pleaded, waving his hands. "I apologize!"
"All right," Zidane said in a sly tone. "My name's Zidane, do you still go by Black
Waltz No. 1?"
"Oh, heavens no," he said, shaking his head. "Mortimer, if you would."
"O-kay," Zidane shrugged. "So....did I miss something?"
"What do you mean?" Mortimer asked. He looked to the pool and spotted Sea
Lion. "Oh my God..."
The waltz stood up and went over to the pool's edge, the waterfall's water was
spilling over the fallen creature's massive body. He shook his head and raised his
hand, Sea Lion's body began sinking into the pool. The poor creature fell to its
final resting place in the bottom of the fresh water pool. Mortimer sighed and
pointed his hand at the waterfall, the cataract and pool froze over once again in
an instant.
"It's getting too warm in here," Mortimer murmured contemptuously and spread
his wings.
"Hey, are you okay?" Zidane asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine," Mortimer replied. "Are you and your company all right?"
Zidane nodded.
Mortimer went up to Ipsen and examined him.
"Hm, odd."
"What?" Zidane asked.
"Nothing, he bears such an uncanny resemblance to Odin," Mortimer said. He
caught Zidane's perplexed look. "You know him as Black Waltz No. 3."
"Ah," Zidane said with a nod. "Yeah, it freaked Vivi out a bit, but I think he's
over it now."
Ipsen stirred and twitched his wing slightly. Zidane readied his weapon when
Mortimer grabbed his arm.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine now." the waltz reassured. Indeed, when Ipsen opened
his eyes, they were once again to their original yellow color, although dim and
clouded. He groaned and turned over, laying right on top of Vivi.
The small mage woke up with a quick, panicked grunt, giving Ipsen quite a start.
The waltz quickly turned over and hopped out of the snow, examining his father.
The snow by Vivi's face was red with dried blood, as was the tip of Ipsen's staff.
The waltz shook his head. "It wasn't a dream...I really did lose control..." Ipsen
nudged Vivi. "Dad, are you okay...? Please, get up..."
Vivi flipped over on his back and opened his eyes, Ipsen was standing right over
him. Vivi yelped and stumbled over himself. "Dad! It's okay, I-I'm all right
now....I think..." Ipsen assured.
Vivi nodded.
"Sorry," the small mage sighed. He caught sight of Black Waltz No. 1 and raised
his staff. "Zidane! Behind you!"
"Don't worry Vivi," Zidane said. "He's on our side now."
Vivi muttered something under his breath and turned to Ipsen.
"Why did you listen to him?" Vivi asked his son. The waltz looked to the ground,
unable to answer.
"Golem Delta Programming," Mortimer said expertly, though he looked very
uncomfortable with interrupting.
"Excuse me?" Vivi asked slowly, understanding the word 'golem' and quickly
taking offense.
"It's the programming Kuja used in all the black mages," Mortimer explained.
"Type Delta for us black waltzes, since technically we're the alternate, "Type D"
black mage."
"But Kuja didn't create him!" Steiner snapped. Ipsen looked very insecure and
afraid at this moment, despite his looming size.
"Kuja didn't create me either, nor did he Odin or Dempo. That doesn't mean he
couldn't help Zorn and Thorn tweak the programming," Mortimer sighed, his
voice was neither sarcastic or icy, but full of concern and slight pity.
"Stop it!" Vivi snapped.
"I'm only telling you what it is," Mortimer replied. "It's kind of an override,
basically, when activated, he can control him as easily as a black mage soldier...."
"I said stop it!!" Vivi barked again, Mortimer quickly shrank back.
"Dad," Ipsen nudged, hinting at his father to stop. He looked to Mortimer,
hoping for him to continue. "Can you undo it?"
"No," Mortimer said. "B-but Odin can. He did me and Dempo, and it looked like
it worked when Kuja just tried to activate the programming when we were
fighting."
"Kuja!" Zidane said with a gasp and got up.
"I wouldn't worry about him. He won't be able to find the other crystals without
a summoner's assistance," Mortimer shrugged.
"But Robin and Garnet are out looking for the crystals right now," Steiner said.
"Which would lead them right to Kuja," Ipsen realized.
Mortimer had known Garnet's position as a summoner and immediately took
concern.
"We have to go after them," Zidane suggested.
"No, not until we take HIM to see Odin," Mortimer said, jabbing a finger at Ipsen.
"What?" Vivi said. "No, we don't need to."
"Yes we do, we'll kill two birds with one stone." Mortimer said happily. "Think
about it, if we get the crystal Odin's watching over, then your friends have more
of a chance of coming to us and we can warn them of Kuja. Plus we can get the
programming undone, all in one shot."
"Wait, you're saying Three has a crystal too?" Zidane asked.
"No," Mortimer said.
Zidane gave a small sigh of relief.
"He has two," Mortimer replied.
"So you three were the ones that robbed the castle all those years ago!" Steiner
growled.
"It doesn't matter now Steiner," Zidane retorted bitterly, the knight's constant
accusations easily wore on one's nerves. "What matters now is getting to Odin's
and finding the girls before they find Kuja. So where DOES he live anyways?"
"I'll have to show you," Mortimer said, shifting his weight from foot to foot
nervously. "It's near Treno..."
"Treno?" Vivi said quizzingly. "How are we going to get all the way to Treno?"
"I have some gyshal greens," Zidane said with an embarrassed grin. "Ipsen and
Mortimer can fly, you and I can go via chocobo."
"Wait! What about me!?" Steiner shouted.
"Hey, you liked Dali, right?" Zidane said with a chuckle.
"Yes...wait! Surely you don't intend for me to stay here!" Steiner replied.
"That's the plan." Zidane retorted. "Unless you got an extra chocobo handy."
Steiner grumbled and followed after the group as they exited Ice Cavern,
Mortimer more hesitant than anyone.
"What's wrong?" Ipsen asked.
"It's too warm..." Mortimer grumbled, ruffling his feathers in the cool night air
uncomfortably.
*`*`*`*`*`
*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Whoa, I actually typed out 'author's note' instead of using the
little 'A/N' abbreviation. I'm becoming less lazy! Dude....anyhoo. Having fun
doing this story, I think is the last chapter I'm doing for the day. Yes, I typed all
the past chapters in one day *01.24.04 if you're curious*. But, like before, I'm
gonna be evil and only post one chapter a week. It increases the odds of you
guys leaving reviews!
Good news with my life, my skool is probably going to be establishing a Dance
Dance Revolution club, for this I am happy. Not saying that I'm good, hell, I
nearly fell on my ass on the last lesson of the second tutorial, but I still have fun
and enjoy the music. My boyfriend says that its only possible for Asian people to
be good at it...oddly enough....it pretty much holds true...Asian people are good
at DDR...*runs off before Asian people in audience decide to throw stuff at my
head*
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`
Chapter 5: Ice Cavern's Guardian
*`*`*`*`*`
Zidane looked down to Ipsen, Vivi and Steiner, all were knocked out cold in the
snow. The genome turned his glance to Black Waltz No. 1 as he stood on his high
perch. The black waltz looked much more different than twenty years in the past,
stronger and healthier than before. His wings looked broader and more fully
fledged, although he still had the slight hunch in his back. The creature took to
the air and roared a spell command. "Blizzada!"
Kuja quickly cast a spell to deflect the spear-like shards of ice as they hurled
down at him. He raised his arm, in hopes of regaining control of the creature, as
he had done to Ipsen, but to no avail. Kuja grimaced as the waltz landed near
him. Zidane shook his head in confusion. "Black Waltz No. 1....?"
"Surprised to be bested by your own work, hm?" the waltz chuckled, adjusting
his hat. "Now, the crystal if you will."
"You expect me to just give it to you?" Kuja chuckled. "You think just because I
can no longer completely control you like a black mage, you're better than them?
Moreover, that you're more powerful than me?"
"Give it back!" No. 1 roared, spreading his wings and swinging his bell. Kuja
merely put his hand to the waltz's forehead.
"Good bye," he muttered and let an electric spell loose, completely knocking the
waltz off the ridge and into the snow. Kuja smirked. "Too easy."
Zidane began running up the ridge, his Ultima weapon raised to attack Kuja. He
chuckled again and raised his hand. "Poor fool," Kuja spat and cast another spell,
the conjuration making Zidane feel very tired. The blonde genome slipped into a
forced slumber as Kuja blasted the ice away from the exit. Before he could leave,
Sea Lion swiped at him with a flipper and snarled, intent on revenge for her
master's defeat.
"Stupid animal," Kuja muttered, removing an unseen weapon from his belt.
Sea Lion fell through the pond's slightly iced surface, the crystal clear water
becoming a tainted red as the massive creature's life and blood drained away.
*`*`*`*`*`
"Ugh...." Zidane murmured, getting up and rubbing his head. He looked about,
the waterfall had once again thawed and was pouring into the red pond. "What
the...?"
He winced when he saw Sea Lion's half frozen corpse floating in the water, a
deep gash on her throat, blood covering the usual white and blue fur. He looked
about. Ipsen, Vivi, Steiner, and Black Waltz No. 1 were still laying on the ground.
He quickly scrambled over to Vivi, his face was soaked in his own blood, the
snow colored red with it. Zidane touched Vivi's face and sighed. "At least it
clotted quickly." He turned to Steiner and examined the knight.
"No big deal Rusty," he muttered and ambled over to Ipsen. "Probably gonna get
a bruise from that one Imp, but nothing to worry about."
Zidane then made his way over to Black Waltz No. 1 and examined him. "A few
first degree burns on your face, but that's good compared to what COULD have
happened."
The waltz stirred at Zidane's comment, instantly putting the genome into a stage
of alert. Zidane hopped back and grabbed his weapon, ready to attack. No. 1
pulled himself out of the snow, rubbed his head and spotted Zidane in his
offensive position. He gasped and raised his hands.
"N-no, don't attack me! Please, I-I mean you no harm this time! I swear," the
waltz pleaded, waving his hands. "I apologize!"
"All right," Zidane said in a sly tone. "My name's Zidane, do you still go by Black
Waltz No. 1?"
"Oh, heavens no," he said, shaking his head. "Mortimer, if you would."
"O-kay," Zidane shrugged. "So....did I miss something?"
"What do you mean?" Mortimer asked. He looked to the pool and spotted Sea
Lion. "Oh my God..."
The waltz stood up and went over to the pool's edge, the waterfall's water was
spilling over the fallen creature's massive body. He shook his head and raised his
hand, Sea Lion's body began sinking into the pool. The poor creature fell to its
final resting place in the bottom of the fresh water pool. Mortimer sighed and
pointed his hand at the waterfall, the cataract and pool froze over once again in
an instant.
"It's getting too warm in here," Mortimer murmured contemptuously and spread
his wings.
"Hey, are you okay?" Zidane asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine," Mortimer replied. "Are you and your company all right?"
Zidane nodded.
Mortimer went up to Ipsen and examined him.
"Hm, odd."
"What?" Zidane asked.
"Nothing, he bears such an uncanny resemblance to Odin," Mortimer said. He
caught Zidane's perplexed look. "You know him as Black Waltz No. 3."
"Ah," Zidane said with a nod. "Yeah, it freaked Vivi out a bit, but I think he's
over it now."
Ipsen stirred and twitched his wing slightly. Zidane readied his weapon when
Mortimer grabbed his arm.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine now." the waltz reassured. Indeed, when Ipsen opened
his eyes, they were once again to their original yellow color, although dim and
clouded. He groaned and turned over, laying right on top of Vivi.
The small mage woke up with a quick, panicked grunt, giving Ipsen quite a start.
The waltz quickly turned over and hopped out of the snow, examining his father.
The snow by Vivi's face was red with dried blood, as was the tip of Ipsen's staff.
The waltz shook his head. "It wasn't a dream...I really did lose control..." Ipsen
nudged Vivi. "Dad, are you okay...? Please, get up..."
Vivi flipped over on his back and opened his eyes, Ipsen was standing right over
him. Vivi yelped and stumbled over himself. "Dad! It's okay, I-I'm all right
now....I think..." Ipsen assured.
Vivi nodded.
"Sorry," the small mage sighed. He caught sight of Black Waltz No. 1 and raised
his staff. "Zidane! Behind you!"
"Don't worry Vivi," Zidane said. "He's on our side now."
Vivi muttered something under his breath and turned to Ipsen.
"Why did you listen to him?" Vivi asked his son. The waltz looked to the ground,
unable to answer.
"Golem Delta Programming," Mortimer said expertly, though he looked very
uncomfortable with interrupting.
"Excuse me?" Vivi asked slowly, understanding the word 'golem' and quickly
taking offense.
"It's the programming Kuja used in all the black mages," Mortimer explained.
"Type Delta for us black waltzes, since technically we're the alternate, "Type D"
black mage."
"But Kuja didn't create him!" Steiner snapped. Ipsen looked very insecure and
afraid at this moment, despite his looming size.
"Kuja didn't create me either, nor did he Odin or Dempo. That doesn't mean he
couldn't help Zorn and Thorn tweak the programming," Mortimer sighed, his
voice was neither sarcastic or icy, but full of concern and slight pity.
"Stop it!" Vivi snapped.
"I'm only telling you what it is," Mortimer replied. "It's kind of an override,
basically, when activated, he can control him as easily as a black mage soldier...."
"I said stop it!!" Vivi barked again, Mortimer quickly shrank back.
"Dad," Ipsen nudged, hinting at his father to stop. He looked to Mortimer,
hoping for him to continue. "Can you undo it?"
"No," Mortimer said. "B-but Odin can. He did me and Dempo, and it looked like
it worked when Kuja just tried to activate the programming when we were
fighting."
"Kuja!" Zidane said with a gasp and got up.
"I wouldn't worry about him. He won't be able to find the other crystals without
a summoner's assistance," Mortimer shrugged.
"But Robin and Garnet are out looking for the crystals right now," Steiner said.
"Which would lead them right to Kuja," Ipsen realized.
Mortimer had known Garnet's position as a summoner and immediately took
concern.
"We have to go after them," Zidane suggested.
"No, not until we take HIM to see Odin," Mortimer said, jabbing a finger at Ipsen.
"What?" Vivi said. "No, we don't need to."
"Yes we do, we'll kill two birds with one stone." Mortimer said happily. "Think
about it, if we get the crystal Odin's watching over, then your friends have more
of a chance of coming to us and we can warn them of Kuja. Plus we can get the
programming undone, all in one shot."
"Wait, you're saying Three has a crystal too?" Zidane asked.
"No," Mortimer said.
Zidane gave a small sigh of relief.
"He has two," Mortimer replied.
"So you three were the ones that robbed the castle all those years ago!" Steiner
growled.
"It doesn't matter now Steiner," Zidane retorted bitterly, the knight's constant
accusations easily wore on one's nerves. "What matters now is getting to Odin's
and finding the girls before they find Kuja. So where DOES he live anyways?"
"I'll have to show you," Mortimer said, shifting his weight from foot to foot
nervously. "It's near Treno..."
"Treno?" Vivi said quizzingly. "How are we going to get all the way to Treno?"
"I have some gyshal greens," Zidane said with an embarrassed grin. "Ipsen and
Mortimer can fly, you and I can go via chocobo."
"Wait! What about me!?" Steiner shouted.
"Hey, you liked Dali, right?" Zidane said with a chuckle.
"Yes...wait! Surely you don't intend for me to stay here!" Steiner replied.
"That's the plan." Zidane retorted. "Unless you got an extra chocobo handy."
Steiner grumbled and followed after the group as they exited Ice Cavern,
Mortimer more hesitant than anyone.
"What's wrong?" Ipsen asked.
"It's too warm..." Mortimer grumbled, ruffling his feathers in the cool night air
uncomfortably.
*`*`*`*`*`