A/N: Hi everyone! Told you it wouldn't take another year to update! It seems Nomi is turning out to be quite the villain…or is he? And Jade seems to be in much trouble…or is she? And I'm not going to shut up… or am I? ^^;; please excuse my temporary insanity, it seems that I'm back to my old habits of writing at 2 am, and I just chugged a large mug of coffee. Wow, I just realized I have SAT testing starting tomorrow (or rather, later today ^_-)… I am SO screwed…oh well, on with the story!

***3rd Person***

Jade's hands were bound together behind her back, her legs tucked neatly beneath her. She was sitting alone in a small room next to the underground chocobo stable, and she sighed heavily.

"Ooh, ahh, I'm in so much trouble," she said sardonically, rolling her eyes.

" Look," She said, talking more to entertain herself than anything else, "Whoever you are, you're not too smart, if you're trying to set a trap for Zidane and the others, you ought to cover my mouth, I'm not just gonna keep quiet you know."

The chocobo stirred in the stable next to her, and she sighed yet again, beginning to hum a tune. She carried on that way for some time, just humming to herself, but soon lost interest in this. She opened her mouth to speak again, "……."

She blinked confusedly, (Hey! What happened?? Where's my voice??)

"That song you were humming," came the voice of her captor from some far off place, "It was annoying."

She thrashed about mouthing all sorts of obscenities, glaring all around her.

(What the hell is going on!?)

"Only fools get so upset over a mere Silence spell, relax; the stage is now set- we are merely waiting for the cast to assemble itself."

Jade seemed not to hear this, and continued straining to speak.

***Jade's P.O.V***

I was left completely alone, how was I s'posta know that weirdo was listening to me? Although I figured he would have cast that spell either way, I never regretted my big mouth more than that moment.

Why was everything going so terribly wrong? And what did this guy want with me??? All I could think about was what he had said at our previous encounter, "Let's just say you're going home."

Where was "home?" I mean, obviously my home was back on Earth, outside this odd game…

"Jade," I heard a sharp whisper to my left.

Turning I saw Zidane peek over the low walls, signaling to me.

(No, don't! Go back! This weirdo is trying to-)

"Silent for once? What's with this change in attitude?"

Zidane quickly cut through the ropes binding me, and I stood up.

(We have to get out of here! Right now!)

"Not so fast," came the voice again, and I felt my silence being lifted.
"Who the hell are you?" Zidane demanded, and I tugged desperately at his arm.

"We need to go, now! Right now!" I couldn't seem to find my usual cocky, self-assured attitude anywhere, and I hated seeming unsure or vulnerable.

"Black Mages!" The voice called, and I realized we were surrounded…

A/N: well, sorry about that, I know that was short and not humorous at all; plot development and cliffhangers are evil, ne? Laleela, 3:28 and my brain is deeeaaaddd!!! Please review, keeping in mind that even the funniest stories need their dramatic moments ^_-.