Royal Tail, Chapter 3: Happy Nights gone into Sorrow
Author's Note: I have nothing to say, but thank you to those who has been reading and thank you to those who have been reading. It really does help. Hope you enjoy this chapter…
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"Garnet!! Queen Garnet!!" a voiced called out. The Queen turned around to see the purple hair girl rushing her way. "Garnet!! It's so good to see you!!" Eiko said as she embraced Garnet. "Good after noon Eiko, how was your trip here?" Garnet asked as she pulled away from the hug. "It was pretty cool, look who I brought along…" She said and as if it was on cue, a bunch of moogles stepped out from behind her. "Oh!! The moogles!!" Garnet exclaimed as she saw them. "Greetings Kupo, my Queen…" one of them said. "Hello to you too!" Garnet smiled. "Kupo, we hope it wouldn't be a bother to have us here…kupo!" another one said. "No, no it's no trouble at all!" Garnet gave a reassuring smile. The moogles nodded. "Well, are you nervous? Tonight's the royal ball again…" Eiko started. Garnet eyes wandered a bit before she answered. "Why would I be?" She asked. Eiko shrugged and had her hands behind her back rubbing her toes into the ground. "I dunno, just wondering…" She said. After a weird moment of silence, Eiko finally spoke up again. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for the ball, I'll catch you later my Queen!!" Eiko then bowed and rushed off. Garnet shook her head and smiled. "Looks like she hasn't changed…" Garnet said and with a deep sigh she held up her long, white dress and walked up the steps. She then went outside and sat there looking out at her kingdom. The sky was turning dark, and she could see the kingdom slowly starting to light up with the new lamps on the streets and in every house. Most of these house though will be dark tonight, for there will be many guests here tonight at the kingdom, to celebrate the day Garnet had stepped up and ruled over Alexandria. "What has it been?" She asked herself. "14 years now?" she still remembered the first day she came back to Alexandria…without Zidane. It was hard at first, and harder without Zidane by her side. She was so worried about him. 3 months later he has shown up again. Her hair had grew out again. When he entered the kingdom once again, she rushed down into the town area and jumped into his arms. Garnet smiled at the memories. From that day on, Zidane had promised her to protect her no matter what. She took a deep sigh as she sat there with nothing much to do. She looked off into the sun that was now half way behind the hills and got up. She then made way back to her cambers to dress for the grand night.
Vanda looked out of her window. She sighed as she saw the guests that were starting to arrived down below. She was in her white dress. As much as she hates dresses, this wasn't so bad. She laid back down on to her bed and waited, until someone knocked on her door. "Princess?" Orva's voice rang through. "Yes, come in." Vanda said. The door then opened and in stepped Orva in her best dress. Orva came in to see Vanda almost half asleep on her bed. "Oh Vanda, do get up!!" Orva complained and sat on the edge of the black covers sheets. "Leave me alone, I do not wish to see any of those people tonight." She said and grabbed one of her pillow. She softly wracked Orva with it. Orva giggle. "Come now, it's to make your mother happy, now come. We have to make haste, the all the guests are all almost here." Orva said and grabbed Vanda's hand, yanking her out of the bed. "Alright, Alright I'm coming…" She said and allowed Orva to drag her out of her room, and into the hall. They were now in the main hall, but before they could have gone downstairs, Vanda stopped. "Wait!" She said and rushed forward. "Hey? Where are you going? The ballroom's this way!! Princess!!" Orva then ran after her, and out on to the balcony where the outside throe was. She leaded against the railing and looked down below to see many people coming. "Great…" She said and stepped back. Orva finally caught up to her. "What's the rush?" She asked. "Nothing…" Vanda answered and spun around to give her friend a reassuring smile. "Well come now, the Queen will surely get mad if you don't show up by this point." Orva said, and the two rushed off to the grand ball room.
The ballroom was filled with people all around the world, Garnet had surely made lots of friends on her journey before. All of the guests were, there, including Regent Cid, and his wife. Fyera linked arms with Amarant. Who would have thought those two would get together? Beatrix had linked arms with Steiner as they talked to Fyera and Amarant. Quina was in the kitchen, making sure all of his workers are doing that they are suppose to be doing. Being head chief is a lot of work. Eiko was there, socializing with Vivi, and the two seemed to be laughing and joking around playfully. Garnet looked around. "Where might she be?" Garnet asked herself as she went around greeting the guests on Zidane's arm. "Is something the matter my Queen?" the man whom they were socializing with asked. "Oh, my apologies, I was just looking around." She answered. The announcer then blew his horn, and the whole ball stopped to face him. "Princess Vanda til Alexandors is now arrived." He announced and stepped aside. All of the guards bowed down on the steps as she walked in with Orva right behind her. The whole ball applauded as she stood there at the top of the steps. "See, I told you not to worry about it…" Zidane whispered in Garnet's ear. Garnet's heart felt relaxed as she put on her best smile. Vanda smiled at the top of the step, and then held up her rest so she could walk down the steps. Orva fallowed her each way, in case she were to trip. When they reached the bottom, a blonde hair boy appeared. He looked at Vanda with sly eyes. Vanda just stood there, as he walked over and bowed down to her. "Princess…" He then got up and took her hand. To her surprise, he kissed it. Vanda was kind of shocked for she did not move, she has never been in a situation like this before. Orva wanted to help, but she didn't know what to do either. He then looked up from her hand and looked at her. "My apologies, I should introduce myself…" He said with a smirk on his face. "I am Vlad, Prince Vlad." He said with much arrogant in his voice. Vanda just cocked an eyebrow, but then again had to smile. "Nice meeting you Sir Vlad." She said. He held up her hands which, and looked at her. "May I have a dance?" He asked. Vanda didn't know what to do! Some random guy just asked her to dance, and she found him pretty weird. Orva saw this in her eyes and quickly rushed up to Vanda's side. She then kneed down not caring if her dress got dirty. "Princess Vanda, the Queen has asked for your present." Orva lied. Vanda looked at her as Orva winked. "Oh yes, I will be on my way. I'm sorry Sir Vlad, I must take my leave of you." She said. "Well, until we meet again…" He kissed her hand one last time and bowed. Vanda then walked with Orva. "Thanks a lot!!" Vanda said with a, "that was close" expression on her face. Orva smiled. "What are friends for?" She said. "Hmmm…for eating!!" Vanda joked. "Err…now you're just sounding like Master Quina!!" the two then busted into laughter. "Well as long as I'm here, I mind as well pay a visit to my mother and father…" Vanda said. Orva nodded, and was about to fallow her. "Orva, wait…why don't you go talk to your mother and father too…I mean, you don't have to fallow me around all the time. I'm sure you miss them." Vanda stopped her. Orva was close to tears. "Thank you…" She said. "Well what are friends for?" Vanda asked. "I'll see you later then." Vanda added on. Orva nodded then rushed off to where Beatrix and Steiner was standing.
Vanda walked alone, to where her mother and father was. Many people have bowed as she passed, she wishes they don't. "My Queen, My King…" she said and bowed down to her. "My daughter, please do get up." Garnet said. Vanda did and looked at her parents. "Where is Orva?" Garnet then asked. "Oh, I gave her the night off…I guess…She needs to spend time with Sir Steiner and Lady Beatrix too…I mean, she needs to spend time with her parents too…" Vanda shook her head. Zidane and Garnet smiled. "That's very kind of you." Zidane said. Vanda nodded. "You look lovely tonight." Garnet commented. "Err…thanks mother…" Vanda didn't like the dress at all, but manage to smile just because she was in front of her mother. Zidane gave a small chuckle. "Aren't you happy this is only once a year?" Zidane asked her. Vanda nodded happily. "Hey!!" Garnet cut in. The family laughed. "I'm just kidding honey." Zidane gave her a reassuring smile. Garnet nodded. "Well look it here…" Zidane said and pointed out Vlad. "What is it father?" Vanda asked. "Young Prince Vlad seems to be looking this way…" Zidane smiled at Garnet. Vanda rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I have already met the young man…I do not fancy him." Vanda answered straightforward. "Oh give him a chance, I'm sure everyone deserve one." Zidane smiled. Vanda rolled her eyes once again. "He's too cocky, besides, I'm not ready for anything of that sort yet." She answered. Garnet laughed and so did Zidane. They both knew that Vanda will make good choices when it comes to her love life, so they're just fine with everything. Later on, Vanda's Great Uncle joined in with the conversation, causing Vanda to depart from her parents. She wandered around the ballroom, making small talk with whoever approached her. She received compliments from those who passed her. "Greetings Princess…" a voice said. She turned around to see no one. "Kupo…" she looked down to see Eiko's moogle kneeing down to her. She smiled. "Nice to see you guys again, please get up!!" She was so happy to see them. As a kid she remembers Eiko bring them over with her. They would always play with her and Orva and taught Vanda a few things about the world. "Kupo! It's so nice to see you too Princess kupo!" one of the moogles exclaimed. Vanda then kneed down to their level and hugged them in a group hug. She then got up to see Eiko coming her way with Vivi behind her. She crusty to them. "Lady Eiko, Sir Vivi…" She greeted. The of course bowed down to her. They then got up and Eiko looked at Vanda. "You have grown so much Vanda…" Eiko said and embraced her. Looks like Eiko hasn't grew much, for she is the same side as Vanda. Eiko has always looked at Vanda as a little sister, or a niece. So did Vivi. Eiko and Vivi are always out to protect her too. "Not really…" Vanda said and looked away for a second. Her head just started to ache badly. She put one of her gloved hands on to her head and concentrated on something else. "Are you okay?" Vivi asked quiet concerned. "Yea I-I'm…" But before she could have finish she slowly started to fall out of it. Orva seeing this from across the ballroom, rushed up to where she was and held her in her arms. "Princess!!" Steiner said as she rushed up to them also along with Beatrix on his side. Beatrix suspected something and kneed down to Vanda. She placed her hand on her lower back, and gasped. "He's here…" she thought. "Orva! Get the Princess to her camber immediately!!" Beatrix order. Steiner gasped finally realizing what as going on. Orva knew she couldn't ask questions, and with that she picked up Vanda in her arms and rushed off.
Garnet glazed over, and her eyes filled with worries as she watched, she was about to walk over to ask questions, but then a sudden chill went through the air. A type of chill that felt so dark, and so hated. The lights went dim in the ballroom, causing everyone to gasp and worry. Zidane then went over and held on to Garnet, to protect her. Beatrix and Steiner surrounded the Queen and King. Flashes of the past has rushed through Garnet's mind in an instead, and she buried herself into Zidane's chest. The huge double doors then opened, and in came a familiar face. All of the windows then popped open, and the cretins flew in the mid breeze. His dark, black cloth flew off reveling the black armor underneath it. There was a crust in the middle of his armor, shaped like an eyeball. It looked so real. The guests all stepped back and let the mystery, scary looking man through. Beatirx and Steiner glared at the man, with much rage in their eyes. Zidane glared at him with flashes of the past going through his mind, and is ready to jump out to protect his Queen at any time. "No…it can't be…" Garnet thought as she held her hand on to her heart once again, facing her fear. He approached her, as all the eyes laid on to her. He smirked at Beatrix and Steriner who was in his way. They glared at him with hate. "Get out of the way." He ordered. They didn't, they held their position and their swords at him. "Fine…you'll just have it the hard way." He said again, and pulled up his hand. All of a sudden, the two knights were lifted into the air and was flung across the room. People gasped, and their soldiers came down to help them. Now, the only person left to protect Garnet was Zidane. He held her close. The man smirked a wicket smirk. "Well isn't it the man who cut off my hand years ago…" he said and held up the gloved shape hand. "Well…now you'll pay…" he pulled up his hand and flung him across the room also. Garnet now faced the dark man walking closer to her. "My Queen…" he kneed down and took her hand to place a kiss on it. Garnet pulled away in disgust. "Egeslic Bronson…" she said. He chuckled. "I'm surprised you still remember my name…" he said and laughed again. What an evil laugh, it could have killed a plant. "What do you want?" Garnet asked with much anger in her voice. He laughed again. "I see, getting right to the point…" He said and picked up a glass off the near by table. He drank the wine and smashed the glass on to the floor. Garnet gasped. Zidane seeing this quickly rushed throws her, only to be picked up by an invisible hand and toss across the room again. "Not this time monkey boy!" He gave another evil laugh. Zidane shook his head and regain his thinking. He grinned his teeth as he watched, and promised only to jump in if Egeslic decide to touch his wife. Egeslic then looked back at Garnet. "Pity isn't it? Your King can't even protect you…" he said again and looked around. "Where is she?" he finally spoken on what he was actually coming for. "I don't know what you're talking about…" Garnet answered. With this he slammed his fist down on to the table. "Don't take me for a fool. You know who I'm talking about…now where is she?!" He demanded again. "She's…she's…dead." Garnet lied. "Impossible!! I sensed her when I got here…" he shouted. He glared around the room. "Her sense is faint…yet it's there…" he said again. "You stay away from her Egeslic!!" Zidane shouted. "Peft…she is the key to…", "NO SHE ISN'T!!" Garnet shouted. "Soon, you'll be mine too…my Queen…" He laughed again. Garnet looked away in disgest. "The time is…NOW!!" all of a sudden a huge fireball hit the room. The whole ballroom screamed. Many monster like men came in and started to reck the place. Beatrix hopped in front of Garnet protecting her. "What shall I do??" Beatrix asked as she knocked one of the monster men away with her powerful attacks. Garnet's mind was in a haze. "No…not again…" She thought as she saw her kingdom, once again being destroy. Zidane, with his engery still left in him, rushed up to Garnet and held her. "Beatrix, take care of her! I must go find my daughter!!" Zidane shouted and jumped off. Beatrix fought off anything the came their way.
Up in Vanda's room, she laid there on her bed slowly recovering from her faint. Orva sat there next to her. She has changed Vanda out of her dress and into more moveable clothes, she has also changed too. Orva heard a crash and in an instead got up. She looked outside the window to see the castle burning. "WHAT?!!" She exclaimed, then heard a beam sound coming behind her. As she turned she saw Vanda's body being left into the air, with a blue light surrounding her. "PRINCESS!!" Orva shouted and went over to catch her, but before she did, a stronger light flashed blinding her, and knocking her over to the wall. Orva held her gloved hands up, and shadowed her eyes in hopes to see better. She saw Vanda being lifted, and many light lights entering her. It swirled around and after a while it was done. Vanda slowly awoken and looked over at Orva, and at the moment Zidane came into the door. "YOUR HIGHNESS!!" Orva shouted. "No time!! Hurry!! We must hurry!!" he shouted. "Grab your weapons!! Come now!!" He said then dragged Vanda, and Orva's hands out the door. They went into the his room, and he pulled one of the candle stick. To their surprise, it opened up a secret passage way. Zidane then looked at his daughter who looked at him confused. "Vanda…" He said and hugged her. "There's no time, you and Orva must take this passage way down to escape. Don't worry about anything, you guys will be safe. I have a few buddies of mine not far from here. Remember Uncle Blank? Well he'll be wandering around somewhere in Lindblum. Now go!! I promise we'll see each other soon!" He said and pushed Vanda and Orva to the stair cased. "Orva! Take this!" He said and handed her a bag with a few healing supplies. "And Vanda, just remember that your mother and I always love you. Now go!! It's your chance to see the world! Go!" Vanda was speechless, and many questions ran through her mind, but looking at her father's eyes, she knew they didn't have time. She then nodded and rushed down the stairs with Orva.
As they rushed down, they heard footsteps, not just their own, but something was coming up. "What the heck is going on?!!" Vanda questioned as she now jumped from steps to steps, making it faster to go down. "I don't know!! But keep running!!" Orva shouted, but when they reached half way, a few monsters blocked their way. "WHAT?!! HOW DID THESE GET IN HERE?!!" Vanda exclaimed. "Hm…" Orva then drew her sword. "We must fight!!" she said. Vanda then drew her daggers and slashes through the dark monsters. Orva did the same. They cleared them enough so they had room to get through, they were about to reach the bottom when another group of monsters came up. "SHIT!! THERE'S TOO MANY!!" Orva shouted and held up her swords to defend her and Vanda. Vanda looked around and saw the room in the center of the circler stair ways. "Orva come on!!" Vanda then grabbed Orva's hand and the two swung to the bottom. They landed on their feet, and broke through the doors. They could see that the knights who were guarding the door has been killed. No time to stop and help though. Orva and Vanda broke into the streets of Alexandria. People were running an screaming everywhere. Houses were on fire, there was wounded men and women on the streets. There were a few children crying out alone, and then it struck Vanda. "Is this what fear feels like?" Vanda thought as she ran along the side of Orva. They were close to running out of the kingdom with flying dragons came after them. "WHAT THE HELL?!!" Orva shouted once again, as she stopped. Vanda stopped also. She held her daggers in her hands, ready to attack any time. "Great…" Vanda thought and glared at the dragons in their way. They all combined and became one huge powerful dragon. "WHAT THE FREAK!!??" Orva shouted again. The dragon then blew out a breath of fire. Vanda and Orva jumped out of the way, or else they would have turned into ashes. "There's no use!!" Vanda shouted. All of a sudden, out of no where, a team of Chocobos rushed in. A young boy sat on one and rushed in. "PRINCESS!!!" He shouted. "Oh crap, it's that Vlad guy…" Vanda thought. "GET ON!!" He held out his hand as he passed by her. To his surprised though, Vanda didn't take his hand, but jumped on to another Chocobo. Orva hopped on one of them and the three escaped the kingdom. Vanda looked back one last time to the home she has knew all of her life, it was burning, and was on fire. The yellow, orange and red mixed together, and all she could have done was ride.
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There's not a great number of people reading this story, but I don't care ^_^. Thanks to all those who are reading, it'll be nice to have a few reviews, but it's all good ^_^. Thank you again!!!
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