Zidane and Blank scurrind close behind to the hooded figure revealed to be Princess Garnet. They were used to running away after a heist but never trained to chase after someone. Zidane couldn't believe how fast she was and to their disadvantage, she knew her way around this castle like the back of her hand. Thankfully they got to a balcony area where there were two ways to the same place. Blank went in one direction and Zidane followed Garnet.
Seeing her present dilemma, Garnet sat down quickly facing the railing so that her legs dangled to the floor below. She took one look over to Zidane who thought at last he had caught her and slipped away landing with a thud but luckily on her feet. Garnet continued to run heading out to the exit where she was glad to see was free from any knights.
Zidane stared in awe at the stunt the princess had just pulled. That was a pretty good move. Blank came around the other side and without wasting anytime with "oo's" and "ah's" at what she just did to them, followed Zidane through the castle. As they ran in the soldier's uniform, there was so much unwanted noise that it seemed as if the walls were ratting on them, letting all of the castle know what they were up to. They got outside quickly enough to see a flash of white to their left. Seeing as though there was water that stretched far out into town ahead of them, Zidane felt his instinct was right to follow what he may had seen. He was just about to go when he Blank spoke up, panting and clutching his knees.
"Hey..::gasp::...I can't run in this armor...Look I'm gonna keep low...There are probably ::gasp:: guards coming...I can prove of some help if I distract them as a knight,"
Blank straightened up and gave Zidane the salute before casually walking back to the castle. Zidane nodded in his diretcion and then seeing as though the armor was a factor slowing them down, ran towards the tower the princess was escaping to, kicking off the last article of this uncomfortable suit. Zidane made his way up the spiralling stairs and looked up the center to see the feminine shadow of the princess. She couldn't go far. He could have told that was a dead end from here.
"Was that Princess Garnet?"
"Princess Garnet it was!"
Emerging from the shadows of the castle's shrubbery, came two small jesters who were dressed in oversized clown outfits of blue and pink. They had their faces painted to show no emotion and had a large hat protruding with bells dangling from it all around their head. The one in pink was Thorn and she held her face in terror seeing that Garnet had run away with a family treasure. Zorn, the one in blue, was frightened at what the queen would do to them if she found out the crisis. It would be best to report this to the queen as soon as possible no matter what the consequences may be...
They ran together as if perfectly syncronized into the empty castle complaining at every room they entered.
"We are in trouble!"
"Trouble are we in!"
The jesters ascended the stairs and they shouted at each other of the possibilities the Queen could do with them.
"This is terrible!"
"Our heads, Queen Brahne will have!"
They jumped up and down and made faces of agony through the white and black paint smeared on their faces and continued to run up the stairs.
"We must hurry!"
"Hurry, we must!"
As they continued they journey to the queen they constantly reminded themselves of the trouble they were in and what the Queen could, would, and shouldn't do to them. They were just jesters to the eye but powerful mages underneath and that could have stopped any thief. Just as they reached the spiralling staircase, Zorn almost ventured outside to the crowds.
"The right way, that is not!"
"I know that is not the right way!
Thorn regarded Zorn's poor attempt to convince her that he didn't know where he was going.
"Really, do you?"
"I really do!"
"Wonder, I sometimes do."
Thorn rocked back in forth in a very infantile manner.They oftened always behaved this awkwardly, mimicking what the other said and using exaggereated movements.
"N-Now is not the time to wonder!"
"Hurry to Queen Brahne, must we!"
"We musy hurry to Queen Brahne!"
As if realizing what their main objetive had been, they went up the stairs and this time it was Thron who was distracted in another direction. She tried opening the doors of the Princess's chambers when Zorn squeeked behind her.
"That is not the right way!"
"N-Not the right way, I know!"
"Do you really?"
"Know I really do!"
Thorn was infurtiated that Zorn was mocking her and she too was just as stubborn as he as to not admit his mistake. In a repeating manner Zorn sarcastically stated, "I really wonder sometimes."
"Th-The time to wonder, now is not!"
As if to change the subject Thorn jumped up and screamed aloud, "Hurry to see Her Majesty, we must!"
"We must hurry and tell her Majesty!"
The two jesters stumbled onto each other in the excitement to see the Queen. They yelled as they entered the balcony where the Queen was watching the performance as if to announce their entrance.
"Your Majesty!"
"See the queen, we must!"
Zorn and Thorn approached Adelbert Steiner who saluted them with a fist to his heart, his face stern and his priorities made up way before they had arrived. His voice was like a commander reprimanding his soldiers for interrupting his speech.
"Her Majesty is busy! Come back later!"
"Is it an emergancy?"
The voice that came from the other side of the Queen's balcony was soft yet determined; strong willed but not demanding. It called for respect and the woman who approached was definately respected for all she had done and the warrrior she had become. General Beatrix stood before them pushing elegantly the locks of her chocolate brown hair out of her face. Her features were exquisite from what people could see and she wore a band from her forehead to the bottom right of her face hiding her eye. Her thick hair was curled at her ends by her muscular shoulder and she wore a revealing yet functionable outfit, her Save the Queen sword stowed away in a sheath on her hip. She approached the jesters saluting them as well. They decided to explain to her the problem.
"An emergancy, it is!"
"A vertible emergancy of terrible urgency!"
Both jesters seemed horrified yet Beatrix remained her control.
"Very well. I'll see what I can do,"
The mages clapped and cheered upon hearing their request granted.
"Very grateful we'll be!"
"We'll be very grateful!"
Steiner glanced bitterly towards Beatrix and crossed his arms like a spoiled child.
"Grrr! Curse that Beatrix! Always trying to one-up me!"
Beatrix once again removed the hair from her eyes and swung her head to one side before looking at Zorn and Thorn, still clapping and cheering. How the queen put up to such nonsense was none of her concern but it annoyed her having to deal with it at the moment.
"So, what exactly is the problem?"
"Her Royal Highness..."
"Princess Garnet..."
"....is in danger!!!"
Zorn and Thorn threw their hands up in a fit and showed Beatrix their faces of agony and sorrow; of terror and fight. They held their heads and shook them jumping up occasionally to add drama. Beatrix rolled her eyes cooly and then gave them her word.
"I see. Wait right there,"
The general advanced toward the queen who was unaware of how entranced she was by the play. She waved her fan faster as the people in the crowd gasped and laughed at appropriate scenes. Beatrix didn't want to interrupt her but seeing how important this was she just had to. She gave the salute and immediately the Queen was scolding.
"No interruptions! Can't you see I'm watching the show!?"
Her command shreaked like an elephant's trunk and Beatrix tried not to show disrespect but continued anyway.
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid Princess Garnet has--"
The Queen gave a heavy sigh and closed her fan, reaching down for a sweet placed by her and sipping some tea.The frosting of the pastery was drippin from the sides of her mouth and upon seeing that and sweat dripping down her neck, Beatrix was very disturbed. She gripped her fan and held it out apathetically pointing at Garnet's empty seat.
"Ah, yes...She did leave her seat awhile ago,"
Beatrix didn't know if she should add the rest of the situation.
"You Majesty, it seems that Princess Garnet has run off with the Royal Pendant."
The Queen's face deformed to show complete anger and she once again opened her fan frantically waving it in her face. She was quiet for some time and then in rage smacked her fan against the table. It shook violently and gave Beatrix a startled jump yet she remained waiting for orders.
"Well, of all the....What could she be thinking!?"
The Queen relaxed and then gave Beatrix a glare that although was not menacing would be able to show she would stop at nothing to get her 'daughter' back. Everyone knew the real reason for her return, though.
"General Beatrix!"
Beatrix saluted once more and proudly responded, "Your Majesty!"
"And, Captain..uh..."
The Queen stuttered on the name of the leader of the Pluto Knights. However, Steiner had been eavsdropping on the situtation and eagerly bowed at the queen, introducing his name formally.
"Steiner,"
"Captain Steiner!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Go find Garnet!"
Queen Brahne rapped the in front of her some more as she ignored the knights and turned her full attention to the actors on stage. Her face was still furious.
"At once, Your Majesty!"
Beatrix gave a bow and was about to turn around when she felt a strong stare coming from Steiner. She looked at him to see him glaring in the most hateful manner. Why did he have to be like that? It's not that the queen preferred one over the other. She was sure when the time came the Queen wouldn't even remember their names. The truth was they were just guards to protect royalty. Steiner didn't have to get so competative about it. But if that was the way he wanted to play it then she wouldn't turn down the fight.
"Yes, my queen,"
Steiner bowed again and then at once him and Beatrix turned away from each other and he headed toward the exit swiftly as to be first get the Princess. Beatrix cocked her head back and then slowly followed behind him, leaving the jesters to dance and prance around the queen as the show continued.
Steiner walked out of the balcony and bounced along to reach yet another balcony that overviewed the meeting room of the Knight of Pluto. Finally he would be able to beat the Beatrix. If only the Queen and the Princess would acknowledge him more! The fame and pride would be so great. Excitement and determination filled Steiner's heart and then with much arrogance called out, "Knights of Pluto! ASSEMBLE!"
It was gradually but eventually, two almost naked knights crepted out of the room shy and hesitant. Blutzen and Kohel, knights II and III, kept their gaze on the floor and grin and bared the coldness of the castle now that they were exposed. Steinner's face turned red in agitation with what he saw. Where were his knights!? How dare they disgrace him like that!? The captain didn't move and when Blutzen and Kohel peeked a look at him it seemed that smoke would rise from his ears, his helmet would catch fire, and his mouth would be foaming uncontrollably.
"Captain, sir!"
"All present and accounted for, sir!"
Steiner threw a fit jumping up and down and then screaming, "What are you talking about!? There's only two of you! Where are the other six!?"
There was a silence for the knights had no idea where they team mates were. After all they were secretly gossiping in that room all by themselves and if the captain knew that, his head might as well fly out the window right now. Both soldiers ran to hide in opposite corners as Adelbert ran down the stairs and continued to blare reprimands to them in such a passionate way that made them ashamed to even look at themselves in their reflection on the clean tiles.
"Why, you useless good-for-nothings! I bring orders from the queen! Get dressed and go find Princess Garnet!"
The knights hustled off to the room hoping that Steiner would not follow considering that the thieves who took their clothes were no longer here and they had nothing else to wear. Entering the room quickly, Blutzen saw that there was a window which by a moogle was sleeping. Exchanging glances, they escaped into the night and hid until Steiner's temper subsided. If that didn't come soon, they could always run into town and try to get something more decent to wear.Or maybe they could give up this business all together.
Steiner shook his head and walked out to the center of the castle. He took his left path and searched the kitchen for any signs of the princess. He doubted that by now she was anywhere inside the castle but being the perfectionist that he was, he questioned all the cooks and looked inside the food occasionally making sure that nothing was poisoned just in case. While wondering on the second floor, he found another one of his Pluto Knights indulging in some fine pasteries that a small cook had prepared for him. When the knight turned around he wasn't at least one bit shocked to see Steiner getting ready to kill him.
"Hey Captain, sir! You gotta try these foods. They are SO good,"
He offered Steiner a little cake that Steiner slapped out of his hand suddenly.
"FOOL! The princess has escpaed and here you are EATING!? GO SEARCH FOR HER NOW!"
The knight stared up at him and then saluted his captain before running out.
"Yes, sir!
Steiner was glad to see his soldiers responding and actually doing something. Just before the knight was completely out of sight, Steiner had a relevation. If this knight could tell others in the castle about the predicament, at least more ground could be covered in less time.
"And tell the others to do so too!"
He faintly heard a 'yes, sir!' and then gave a curt nod in the direction of the voice. Assuming his duty, Steiner decided to head and search the outskirts of the castle. She couldn't have gone far since the ferry to town was temporarily shutdown to avoid people without tickets from coming into the premises. Walking outside he admired his castle's beauty as it was illuminated by the large stone torches and the moon shown like a jewel in its reflection on the waterfront. His princess would be safe as long as she stayed within the castle. Guarding this area were troops from General Beatrix's squad. He looked in their direction and when saluted only nodded before turned around and concealing his loathe for them. Steiner heard talking and giggling to his left and tried to inconspicuously see what was going on. What he saw ignited his fire again and he was just about ready to unemploy every single knight that wasn't doing his job!
Another Pluto Knight stood casually leaning on the towers wall with one arm, talking to a very pretty soldier from Beatrix's squad. He seemed to be asking her out or making jokes because she'd laugh and then turn red, pushing him with one hand as if to tell him to stop complimenting her. All Steiner could see was a guard completely vulnerable and unaware of what was going on!
"So babe, what do you say you and me--"
"Preposterous! What is going on here! Don't you know the Princess is missing!"
The girl soldier giggled and then pranced away towards the castle just as the Knight of Pluto hung his head down in defeat. Steiner had the best way of ruining things.
"If it makes you feel any better no one's come through here,"
"Very well I shall check the other tower. Continue to keep watch,"
Steiner turned around and ran quickly to the other tower feeling a sense of authority to keep his soldiers in check whenever it was appropriate. Watching Steiner run off, Blank rolled his eyes inside his helmet and crossed his arms angerily across his chest. And that girl was cute too. Blank looked inside the tower and yawned seeing that Zidane wasn't coming down. He tipped his helmet down and closed his eyes. Geez did it take that long to catch a princess? Off in the distance he heard the audience cheer.
Steiner paused and looked towards the theater ship.
What!? The play seems to be a hit! But if we fail to find the princess before the curtain falls, Her Majesty will be most displeased...And we will be the laughingstock of Beatrix and her retinue! I must hurry!"
The captain raced onward and stopped briefly before entering the tower to his west. The trecherous flight of stairs that awaited him would have to be endured. Reminding himself of Beatrix's face when the Pluto Knights were victorious, he smiled and then firmly climbed the stairs. At first it was difficult to get used to the circling motion of the stairs direction, and after some time he began dizzy feeling as though he was going nowhere slow and that the room was spinning. Shaking his head and taking a deep breath he continued his ascention and was surprised to see another of his knights out of breath as well, holding on to the wall for balance.
"Hey captain, you climb this for exercise too? I guess age is getting to me because I'm pooped. You don't look to well yourself,"
"I'm not exercising! I'm looking for the princess and you should too!"
Steiner was way too out of breath to let his wrath be truly shown. The knight shook his head and started to walk back down the stair grumbling about being tired and that he wasn't going to last much longer. The captain didn't even ask about his condition just proceeded up the stairs until finally the top of the tower was visible through the windows on its sides. Breathing heavily on the top step, he tried to relax and regain composure.
"Whew...Fatigue rears its ugly head. No! I must perservere! The princess must be found!"
Any normal person walking by might have thought that this man was crazy, always talking to himself and trying to hypen up self-esteem. Steiner thought nothing of it. He continued to patrol around the tower looking off from this height to see if by any chance there may have been signs of the princess. From the look of things and considering it was nightfall, she wasn't on the grounds. From the corner of his eye however he was able to sense some movement.
"Wait! Over there!"
Zidane ran around and around trying to catch the princess who would always be only inches away from his grasp. All he needed was her to trip, stumble, fall, anything once so that he could get her at last. He was getting bemused from all this chasing. He didn't think she would be so troublesome.
Steiner gasped at the sight of Zidane behind Garnet. What was that scoundrel doing!?
"It's Princess Garnet! Being hunted by brigands!"
It seemed as if Beatrix hadn't found her at all. But what did that matter now? The Princess was in danger and it really didn't matter who saved her even though Steiner wouldn't be able to live with himself if he couldn't do something.The captain gave his salute in direction of the atrocity.
"Fear not, Princess! Your knight is coming!"
A/N: Another looonnnggg chapter! That scene with Zorn and Thorn was SO annoying and Steiner? AHHH give me some Zidane and Garnet pleaz! lolz yep well that's coming up! See you next time and I hope you liked it! Next chapter is "Doing as the Princess wishes", hopefully to be updated soon! Thanx for all your reviews and more are welcomed! It really inspires me! Thanx