Sincerity
Sora looked around. "I'll get them back. There's no turning back." He said. He noticed he was in a crowd of rioting people. "What's happening?" he asked. A man turned to him. "What? If you don't know then why are you here? Princess Garnet's execution is about to happen!" the man said angrily. "This is that Queen Brahne's fault! That witch!" Sora looked up as guards and small spikes on the sides of the platform kept the crown from jumping onto the stage. Guards came onto the platform escorting a young girl with long brown hair held back near the end in a yellow jumper with red gloves. Sora looked angrily. "What did she do?" he asked. "She's been falsely accused of betrayal!" the man answered. Sora gritted his teeth, as a rope was place loosely around the girl's neck. She was placed on top of a chair as another guard tightened the rope around her neck. She looked ahead calmly. A guard went behind her. "We're sorry your highness, but orders are orders." The guard whispered. Garnet furrowed her brow angrily and ignored his words. The soldier backed away slowly and then kicked the chair from beneath her feet. The crowd roared with fury. 'Great! My neck didn't break! Guess this means slow death! Where are you Zidane?' Garnet thought. She gritted her teeth as she tried to take in breath but couldn't. Suddenly a young boy jumped onto the platform barely avoiding the spikes and hitting two guards with a key shaped weapon. He ran forward and slashed her rope. She fell to the ground grasping for breath. The boy grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her bolting towards the only exit, which led into Alexandria's Castle.
Sora ran further and further until the sounds of the guard's footsteps became faint. He turned to princess Garnet. "We need to find a safe hiding place quick!" he said. She nodded and ran forward as he followed.
"Behind my fireplace is a secret passage. "Doesn't the Queen know about this?" Sora asked concerned. Garnet looked down. "Ya but this leads out of the castle. You can escape that way." Garnet said. "But what about you?" Sora asked. "My friends are prisoners, I can't leave them." Garnet said. Sora furrowed his brows. "Then I'm not leaving either. I can't let anything happen to you. I'll be your temporary bodyguard!" Sora said determinedly. "It's too dangerous. You're a civilian. If something happened to you-!" "It's fine. I'll be alright1 I just saved you, remember?" Sora pursued. Garnet sighed in defeat. "We might as well hide in a less obvious passage tonight. My friends will be executed in three days so we must get them out as soon as possible!" Garnet said firmly.
Sora looked up from the fire they had lit in the small passage they were 'camping' in. "So who are your friends." Sora asked noticing Garnet's gloomy expression. Garnet smiled. "There's Steiner, Eiko, Amarant, Beatrix, Vivi, Freya, Quina, and....Zidane." Garnet answered. "What are they like?" Sora persisted. "Hmmm," Garnet said thoughtfully, "Steiner is overprotective and proud but loyal and funny. Eiko has attitude and the strangest things sometimes but she's friendly and protective. Amarant is arrogant and cocky but he's not that bad. Beatrix is tough but she's loyal and comforting. Vivi is a nine-year-old black mage but he's shy and sweet. Freya is mysterious and doesn't have much to say but she's one of our best fighters. Quina talks weird and loves food but he's honest and friendly. And Zidane....he's tough and cocky but he's caring and strong and brave." Garnet finished. Sora smiled. Garnet hung her head. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I hope they're alright. They probably think I'm dead." She said sadly. Sora looked down. "Don't worry. I'm sure they're fine and they'll be better once they know you're alive!" Sora said firmly. Garnet nodded her head smiling sadly. "So what are your friends like?" she asked. "Well there's Kairi. She's kind and gentle natured. Riku and I have been best friends since childhood. He's easy to envy. He's good deep down. And there's Goofy and Donald! They seem clueless but they're funny!" Sora said. Garnet looked down with a hint of smile. "So your own mother was going to have you killed?" Sora asked. Garnet looked up immediately. "Oh-sorry!" Sora said rubbing the back of his head and grinning sheepishly. "It's Kuja! He's controlling her! I know eh is! My real mother was kind and sweet! Not selfish and greedy! Why is she so blind? Can't she see that Kuja is the traitor?! He almost had Bahamut kill her and she still couldn't see it?!" Garnet said crying. Sora hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder. There was a silence. "We better get to sleep." Sora said.
Garnet ran around the corner with Sora after peeking out cautiously. Suddenly they stopped at the jail entrance and quickly hid behind a nearby barrel before the guards could see them. A prison door was opened by one of the guards. "Come out! Time for your execution!" the guard announced. "Hey you said that was in two days!" Zidane snapped. "Orders are orders. Two days doesn't matter, you're going to die." the guard snorted shoved Zidane out while the other guards went and got the others. "Hey this is no way to treat a lady!" Eiko yelled. Garnet and Sora turned and gasped quickly moving out of sight as a guard ran by. "I-it's-!" the guard babbled. "Spit it out!" the captain snapped. "Bahamut is attacking Alexandria!" the guard blurted out. Everyone gasped. The captain turned. "You six, kill these traitors! Everyone else! Follow me!" the captain yelled running off with some guards. Garnet hung her head. "I can't leave my friends but mother can't protect Alexandria on her own! No doubt its Kuja again!" Garnet said. Garnet turned to Sora. "I trust you. I am Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII! Sora, please. I trust you. Protect my friends...." Garnet said turning and running fast. Sora felt torn. He couldn't leave these people to die but Garnet couldn't handle this on her own! Sora gritted his teeth in frustration and then turned to follow the guards.
"Let's make this quick men! We can end both evils that threaten Alexandria today! Let's deal with these traitors and go defend our kingdom!" a guard yelled. Suddenly Zidane ducked and kicked the guard. He pulled out the guard's sword and started fighting the other guards. Eiko gathered some magic but suddenly a guard loomed over her with sword in hand ready to strike. She gasped and covered her head. Suddenly the walls behind her burst and she screamed. In place of the wall floated a big ship.
Garnet went to the very top of the castle and thrust the doors open. She saw the balcony in ruins and her mother nearby covered in blood on the ground! "Mother!" Garnet cried running to her. Garnet kneeled beside Queen Brahne and lifted her head. "G-Garnet....I feel free. I haven't felt this way since....I saw that....play with you and your....father...." Queen Brahne choked and laid her head back weakly. Garnet felt tears streaming down her face. Suddenly a boom shook in Alexandria. Garnet jumped and ran over to what was left of the balcony. Bahamut roared and spread his dragon wings victoriously. He blew up a few more buildings. Garnet watched helplessly with horror as tears streamed down her face. "Who are?" Zidane asked turning to Sora. They were on the ship. "I'm Sora." Sora replied. Zidane nodded. "Do we have any idea of where Garnet is yet?" he asked Beatrix. She shook her head and he looked down. "She went to go find her mother." Sora said. Everyone turned to him in surprise. "You know Garnet?! How?!" Zidane demanded. "I saved her from execution." Sora said. Zidane clenched his fists. "And you didn't stop her?!" he asked angrily. "We overheard some guards saying Bahamut as attacked. Garnet ran off to help her mother. She had asked me to save you guys and I couldn't chase her." Sora said hanging his head. Zidane turned around angrily. "Fly this thing to the top of the castle!" Zidane commanded.
Garnet heard something and peeked over the edge of the balcony. She gasped and jumped away as a big ship flew up and stabled itself near her. Someone ran out onto the deck of the ship and over to the railing facing Garnet. "Zidane!" Garnet cried. Suddenly Garnet's jewel on her chest started glowing. "Eiko...."
Eiko looked out the ships' window as Zidane left. "*Phew* She's fine!" Eiko said. Suddenly her jewel started glowing. "Garnet...." Eiko whispered running out onto the deck quickly. Suddenly when she arrived on deck her necklace began bursting of energy and she was flown up into the sky. Then after her body floated for a moment it sped down to Garnet like a magnet to something. Garnet gasped as Eiko landed before her. "W-What's happening?!" Garnet said in panic. "The Light of Destiny...." Eiko whispered. Garnet looked at her confused. "It's calling forth Holy Judgment of Alexander to protect the kingdom!" Eiko exclaimed. "Garnet, repeat after me." Eiko said and kneeled, folding her hands and closing her eyes. Garnet looked at Eiko and then did the same. "O holy guardian, hear our prayers. Darkness overshadows us once again. O holy guardian, hear our prayers. Deliver us out of darkness into light." Eiko and Garnet chanted calmly.
Suddenly a pair of angelic graceful wings enwrapped the castle protectively as Bahamut tried firing at it. The wings were unaffected as Bahamut continued the desperate attack. The wings spread out with power and began shooting blue beams at Bahamut. Bahamut tried desperately to dodge but was barraged by the attack. Suddenly an explosion enveloped Bahamut and he disappeared.
Kuja floated nearby with a grin on his face. "Come forth, Invincible!" he yelled raising his hands upward. Suddenly and eye in the dark and gloomy sky opened up hovering over Alexandria. Garnet's clam feeling was replaced by fear and horror. As if in panic the wings closed for protection. Invincible shot an enormous beam consuming the castle. Garnet and Eiko covered the heads as electricity burst around the castle top. Suddenly the castle exploded. Garnet screamed as the part of the castle she was standing on broke away form the rest and began falling downward. She looked up at Zidane. "Help me!!!" she cried. Zidane panicked and grabbed onto a cord with celebrating flags on it. He swung down toward Garnet and landed on her castle piece. She looked at him for a moment in worry and then hugged him. Zidane held onto the cord as they were lifted up in air. They looked up and Eiko was sitting safely on the cord. Garnet smiled and looked at Zidane before hugging him happily.
Zidane, Garnet, and Eiko boarded safely onto the ship. Suddenly Invincible shot out an enormous blinding beam destroying almost all of Alexandria. Garnet sank to her knees she covered a hand over her mouth in horror and shock. As if suddenly hit by the realization of it all she thrust her head into her hands crying. Zidane wrapped an arm around here. "I-It's gone...." Steiner said in dismay. He hung his head. "I failed you Alexandria...." Beatrix whispered running a hand to the side of her face hiding it. Vivi looked down sadly as Eiko just stood there. "We made a big mess huh?" she said ashamed. Amarant turned away and walked inside calmly. Freya just shook her head and turned away. Sora stood there numbly and closed his eyes painfully. "Was this what it was like when heartless attacked a world?" he said. "G-Garnet....I'm sorry...." Zidane whispered hanging his head. Garnet stood up numbly with tears stinging her eyes. Her legs wobbled and she just let her head bend back with the heat and wind blowing into her face. She closed her eyes and collapsed. Zidane caught her and looked back at the flames.
Garnet just sat in her room on her bed. Zidane came in. "I hope you don't mind. Tot said it'd be alright if I visited you." Zidane said hesitantly. Garnet didn't say anything. "I know that it sounds annoying, I bet everybody has told you this but, I'm sorry." Zidane said scratching his head nervously. Garnet smiled slightly. "How do you feel?" Zidane asked. Garnet didn't answer. Zidane looked down shamefully. "Stupid question huh?" he muttered. Garnet didn't reply to that either. 'She must be angry. I shouldn't have bothered her.' Zidane thought hurtfully. "I'll just go and let you rest now. Sorry for bothering you." Zidane said and turned away sadly. Garnet looked up quickly as he turned and shook her head vigorously. By the time she had run after him he had closed the door. Garnet just hung her head and sank to her knees.
Zidane sat there with the crew. "All four nations destroyed. How many mothers, fathers, and children died?!" Beatrix said in anguish. Steiner had tears run down his face. "Alexandria...I failed you..." he whispered. Zidane rolled his eyes. Eiko just stared at the ground. "Garnet must feel terrible." She said. "She lost her mother and city all in one day!" Vivi said shaking his head sadly. Amarant entered into the room silent with no emotion displayed on his face. "Regent Cid wishes to see us to discuss a strategy against Kuja." Amarant told them. "Okay, we'll be there in a minute." Zidane replied. Amarant nodded and left. "Wait! Garnet isn't here." Eiko exclaimed. "Last I saw her she was in her room resting." Zidane told her. "I'll go look for her!" Eiko said running past him. "Wait-!" Zidane called out after her but it was too late.
Zidane and the group entered the conference room. Eiko was still looking for Garnet. Regent Cid sat in his seat presiding in the room. "We think we know where Kuja is." Beatrix said. "Beatrix! You're here!" Steiner exclaimed suddenly paling. Then he blushed. "We thought you stayed in Alexandria. We didn't mean to ditch on you though. It was just Garnet was so stressed and when she was collapsed Tot advised us to get her away from the place to recover." Zidane said. Beatrix smiled. "I'm not upset with you. We have more important things to talk about." Beatrix replied. "We've detected a powerful energy source form the Iifa Tree." Beatrix said (yeah, I know. Different from the game but I don't really want to go through the third disk along with the fourth). "Is it Kuja?!" Zidane asked. "We can't say for sure. But we can't go without a plan." Beatrix explained. Suddenly Eiko burst in the room. "What is it?!" Freya asked noticing the panicked look on Eiko's face. "I- it's G-Garnet!" she said trying to breath. Zidane ran up to her. "What?! What's wrong with her?!" he yelled fearfully. "S-She can't talk!" Eiko blurted out and there were numerous exclamations of disbelief. "Where is she?!" Zidane begged in panic. "In the guest room!" Eiko answered and without another word everyone dashed out of the room.
Zidane burst through the door and saw Sora examining Garnet. Before Sora could react Zidane had thrown him aside. He kneeled on the floor in front of the bed where Garnet sat with her head hung. "Princess?!" Steiner said hysterically. "Your highness, what's wrong?" Beatrix asked knowing well what was. Garnet tried to speak but tears just came out. Zidane sat on the bed with her. He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. Gladly, Garnet cried into his chest. "The grief of losing her mother and kingdom must have been too much for her to handle. She has lost her voice." Tot said entering the room. Zidane looked at him. "How long will she be like this? Years?" Zidane asked fearfully. "Only when she came overcome her grief will she be able to speak again, it may be weeks, days, or yes, even years." Tot answered. "My Princess, I have failed you." Steiner cried. Zidane gritted his teeth. "Beatrix, what was it you were saying about the Iifa Tree?" Zidane asked angrily.
The ship hovered into air (this will probably be very short form here on out, sorry, I just don't have a real passion fro FFIX but I do like it). "Garnet, I know you get enough of this from Steiner but I think you should stay and rest here." Zidane said not very firmly. Garnet shook her head firmly and walked past him. He sighed in defeat. Steiner was being dragged away by Beatrix. "She shouldn't go with us!" Steiner said kicking his legs. Vivi and Eiko stared after him their bodies slowly turning in different directions as Steiner was dragged off. "What kind of childhood do you think he had?" Eiko asked Vivi who shrugged. Amarant just huffed. "You're stuck up." Eiko muttered. "You're a child." Amarant snorted. "No, I have a life. I accept people's kindness. What? Were you an orphan since childhood?" Eiko spat. Amarant growled and stepped towards her angrily. "That's none of your business!" he growled. "I hit a nerve." Eiko said smirking. "Hey stop it you two!" Vivi pleaded as they glared at each other. Suddenly something slowly floated up next to the ship on the side by Eiko, Vivi, and Amarant. Zidane caught sight of it. "Kuja?!" Zidane yelled. The silvered haired man smiled maliciously. "Ah, as I expected." Kuja said boredly. "I have come to fulfill my dreams." Kuja exclaimed tossing his hands in air vividly as he spoke. "Shut up! I've had enough! All those people you killed!" Zidane accused angrily.
Kuja then regarded Zidane with a disgusted frown. "You're a disappointment." He snorted. He smiled and lifted his hands upward. "Invincible!" he called out. The clouds around the Iifa tree darkened and soon an eye appeared searching for its summoner. "Destroy them!" Kuja yelled pointing to his enemies. Sora's eyes widened. "Jump overboard!" he yelled. Invincible fired a laser cutting the ship in half followed by an explosion as everyone jumped. Sora yelled as he fell. He summoned Pegasus. The keyblade appeared in his hands as he flew up to the invincible slashing it across the eye. Sora flew downward to catch the others. He felt Amarant land on Pegasus' back with Beatrix. Amarant caught the hand ok Eiko who was holding onto Vivi while Beatrix caught Steiner. Sora flew down and grabbed Freya. Sora's eyes scanned for Garnet and Zidane. "They're gone!" Beatrix cried fearfully. "Princess!" Steiner cried.
"Is this death?" Zidane asked noticing he was in complete darkness. Aside form that he didn't feel normal, like he was in a dream-no-a nightmare. "Where are the others?" Zidane whispered he heard a scream. "That sounded like-? Garnet?!" Zidane yelled out searching for her in panic. Steiner appeared in front of him. "You let the Princess die!" Steiner accused. He disappeared replaced by Eiko. "You said you cared for her!" she snapped and vanished. "I trusted you!" Vivi cried in betrayal before disappearing. "I'd trusted you with my life and the Princess's!" Beatrix spat and disappeared. "You haven't changed at all." Freya said disappointed and she also disappeared. "You called me your friend but you betrayed me." Amarant said angrily and finally he too disappeared. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." Zidane whispered sadly in shame. "What about me?" a familiar voice called. " What about you?" Zidane asked. "You never let me down. You never let your real friends down." A light appeared in the darkness. Zidane looked up. "G-Garnet?" Zidane whispered hopefully. She smiled at Zidane and he noticed she looked different. She was wearing her elegant gown that she wore when she became queen. She had an unearthly light about her. Under her was some round sign on the ground. The design looked like it was Garnet dressed normal. She was poised with a dagger at her side with her other hand holding up her necklace. She was surrounded by doves with the Castle of Alexandria in the distance behind her. Framing the circle was the Roman numeral IX along with some other sign (FFIX Logo). "You've awakened me from the dream." Garnet said walking to him. Garnet hugged Zidane and he hugged back. "I've done nothing for you." Zidane said. "That's not true and you know it! You've done so much for me-for the others!" Garnet argued. "You've changed us and we've changed you." Garnet added. "If I had never met you Gaea would have been completely destroyed a long time ago. I would have never found out where I was from or who I really was. I'd never have experienced the joy and happiness of meeting you and the others! I'd be watching my kingdom fall without me having the strength or courage to do anything." Garnet said and Zidane looked confused. "I did all that?" he asked. Garnet nodded. "And what about Steiner? You've helped him learn to become a true Knight. What about Beatrix? Without you she would have remained blind and on the wrong side. Freya would be living her lonely life back in Limblum. Amarant would have had no friend and Eiko wouldn't have been here to help me protect my kingdom. Vivi would have gone on living alone and confused in Alexandria not knowing who he was." Garnet continued and Zidane felt suddenly bashful. "And you," Garnet said grinning and Zidane snapped his head up, "You would have gone on as a flirt getting in trouble!" Garnet said giggling and Zidane grinned. "Now how is that bad?" Zidane asked flashing a charming smile. Garnet frowned suddenly. "Woah! I was just kidding!" Zidane said nervously. "It's time to go back." Garnet said sadly. "Huh?" Zidane said confused as a light engulfed them. Zidane looked for Garnet but all he heard was her voice. "I'll find you again...."
Sora felt himself hit the familiar ground. He looked behind himself and saw the door to the IX world close. The door soon disappeared all together. He stood up and dusted himself off. Next was a new door with the Roman numeral VIII.
Sora looked around. "I'll get them back. There's no turning back." He said. He noticed he was in a crowd of rioting people. "What's happening?" he asked. A man turned to him. "What? If you don't know then why are you here? Princess Garnet's execution is about to happen!" the man said angrily. "This is that Queen Brahne's fault! That witch!" Sora looked up as guards and small spikes on the sides of the platform kept the crown from jumping onto the stage. Guards came onto the platform escorting a young girl with long brown hair held back near the end in a yellow jumper with red gloves. Sora looked angrily. "What did she do?" he asked. "She's been falsely accused of betrayal!" the man answered. Sora gritted his teeth, as a rope was place loosely around the girl's neck. She was placed on top of a chair as another guard tightened the rope around her neck. She looked ahead calmly. A guard went behind her. "We're sorry your highness, but orders are orders." The guard whispered. Garnet furrowed her brow angrily and ignored his words. The soldier backed away slowly and then kicked the chair from beneath her feet. The crowd roared with fury. 'Great! My neck didn't break! Guess this means slow death! Where are you Zidane?' Garnet thought. She gritted her teeth as she tried to take in breath but couldn't. Suddenly a young boy jumped onto the platform barely avoiding the spikes and hitting two guards with a key shaped weapon. He ran forward and slashed her rope. She fell to the ground grasping for breath. The boy grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her bolting towards the only exit, which led into Alexandria's Castle.
Sora ran further and further until the sounds of the guard's footsteps became faint. He turned to princess Garnet. "We need to find a safe hiding place quick!" he said. She nodded and ran forward as he followed.
"Behind my fireplace is a secret passage. "Doesn't the Queen know about this?" Sora asked concerned. Garnet looked down. "Ya but this leads out of the castle. You can escape that way." Garnet said. "But what about you?" Sora asked. "My friends are prisoners, I can't leave them." Garnet said. Sora furrowed his brows. "Then I'm not leaving either. I can't let anything happen to you. I'll be your temporary bodyguard!" Sora said determinedly. "It's too dangerous. You're a civilian. If something happened to you-!" "It's fine. I'll be alright1 I just saved you, remember?" Sora pursued. Garnet sighed in defeat. "We might as well hide in a less obvious passage tonight. My friends will be executed in three days so we must get them out as soon as possible!" Garnet said firmly.
Sora looked up from the fire they had lit in the small passage they were 'camping' in. "So who are your friends." Sora asked noticing Garnet's gloomy expression. Garnet smiled. "There's Steiner, Eiko, Amarant, Beatrix, Vivi, Freya, Quina, and....Zidane." Garnet answered. "What are they like?" Sora persisted. "Hmmm," Garnet said thoughtfully, "Steiner is overprotective and proud but loyal and funny. Eiko has attitude and the strangest things sometimes but she's friendly and protective. Amarant is arrogant and cocky but he's not that bad. Beatrix is tough but she's loyal and comforting. Vivi is a nine-year-old black mage but he's shy and sweet. Freya is mysterious and doesn't have much to say but she's one of our best fighters. Quina talks weird and loves food but he's honest and friendly. And Zidane....he's tough and cocky but he's caring and strong and brave." Garnet finished. Sora smiled. Garnet hung her head. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I hope they're alright. They probably think I'm dead." She said sadly. Sora looked down. "Don't worry. I'm sure they're fine and they'll be better once they know you're alive!" Sora said firmly. Garnet nodded her head smiling sadly. "So what are your friends like?" she asked. "Well there's Kairi. She's kind and gentle natured. Riku and I have been best friends since childhood. He's easy to envy. He's good deep down. And there's Goofy and Donald! They seem clueless but they're funny!" Sora said. Garnet looked down with a hint of smile. "So your own mother was going to have you killed?" Sora asked. Garnet looked up immediately. "Oh-sorry!" Sora said rubbing the back of his head and grinning sheepishly. "It's Kuja! He's controlling her! I know eh is! My real mother was kind and sweet! Not selfish and greedy! Why is she so blind? Can't she see that Kuja is the traitor?! He almost had Bahamut kill her and she still couldn't see it?!" Garnet said crying. Sora hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder. There was a silence. "We better get to sleep." Sora said.
Garnet ran around the corner with Sora after peeking out cautiously. Suddenly they stopped at the jail entrance and quickly hid behind a nearby barrel before the guards could see them. A prison door was opened by one of the guards. "Come out! Time for your execution!" the guard announced. "Hey you said that was in two days!" Zidane snapped. "Orders are orders. Two days doesn't matter, you're going to die." the guard snorted shoved Zidane out while the other guards went and got the others. "Hey this is no way to treat a lady!" Eiko yelled. Garnet and Sora turned and gasped quickly moving out of sight as a guard ran by. "I-it's-!" the guard babbled. "Spit it out!" the captain snapped. "Bahamut is attacking Alexandria!" the guard blurted out. Everyone gasped. The captain turned. "You six, kill these traitors! Everyone else! Follow me!" the captain yelled running off with some guards. Garnet hung her head. "I can't leave my friends but mother can't protect Alexandria on her own! No doubt its Kuja again!" Garnet said. Garnet turned to Sora. "I trust you. I am Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII! Sora, please. I trust you. Protect my friends...." Garnet said turning and running fast. Sora felt torn. He couldn't leave these people to die but Garnet couldn't handle this on her own! Sora gritted his teeth in frustration and then turned to follow the guards.
"Let's make this quick men! We can end both evils that threaten Alexandria today! Let's deal with these traitors and go defend our kingdom!" a guard yelled. Suddenly Zidane ducked and kicked the guard. He pulled out the guard's sword and started fighting the other guards. Eiko gathered some magic but suddenly a guard loomed over her with sword in hand ready to strike. She gasped and covered her head. Suddenly the walls behind her burst and she screamed. In place of the wall floated a big ship.
Garnet went to the very top of the castle and thrust the doors open. She saw the balcony in ruins and her mother nearby covered in blood on the ground! "Mother!" Garnet cried running to her. Garnet kneeled beside Queen Brahne and lifted her head. "G-Garnet....I feel free. I haven't felt this way since....I saw that....play with you and your....father...." Queen Brahne choked and laid her head back weakly. Garnet felt tears streaming down her face. Suddenly a boom shook in Alexandria. Garnet jumped and ran over to what was left of the balcony. Bahamut roared and spread his dragon wings victoriously. He blew up a few more buildings. Garnet watched helplessly with horror as tears streamed down her face. "Who are?" Zidane asked turning to Sora. They were on the ship. "I'm Sora." Sora replied. Zidane nodded. "Do we have any idea of where Garnet is yet?" he asked Beatrix. She shook her head and he looked down. "She went to go find her mother." Sora said. Everyone turned to him in surprise. "You know Garnet?! How?!" Zidane demanded. "I saved her from execution." Sora said. Zidane clenched his fists. "And you didn't stop her?!" he asked angrily. "We overheard some guards saying Bahamut as attacked. Garnet ran off to help her mother. She had asked me to save you guys and I couldn't chase her." Sora said hanging his head. Zidane turned around angrily. "Fly this thing to the top of the castle!" Zidane commanded.
Garnet heard something and peeked over the edge of the balcony. She gasped and jumped away as a big ship flew up and stabled itself near her. Someone ran out onto the deck of the ship and over to the railing facing Garnet. "Zidane!" Garnet cried. Suddenly Garnet's jewel on her chest started glowing. "Eiko...."
Eiko looked out the ships' window as Zidane left. "*Phew* She's fine!" Eiko said. Suddenly her jewel started glowing. "Garnet...." Eiko whispered running out onto the deck quickly. Suddenly when she arrived on deck her necklace began bursting of energy and she was flown up into the sky. Then after her body floated for a moment it sped down to Garnet like a magnet to something. Garnet gasped as Eiko landed before her. "W-What's happening?!" Garnet said in panic. "The Light of Destiny...." Eiko whispered. Garnet looked at her confused. "It's calling forth Holy Judgment of Alexander to protect the kingdom!" Eiko exclaimed. "Garnet, repeat after me." Eiko said and kneeled, folding her hands and closing her eyes. Garnet looked at Eiko and then did the same. "O holy guardian, hear our prayers. Darkness overshadows us once again. O holy guardian, hear our prayers. Deliver us out of darkness into light." Eiko and Garnet chanted calmly.
Suddenly a pair of angelic graceful wings enwrapped the castle protectively as Bahamut tried firing at it. The wings were unaffected as Bahamut continued the desperate attack. The wings spread out with power and began shooting blue beams at Bahamut. Bahamut tried desperately to dodge but was barraged by the attack. Suddenly an explosion enveloped Bahamut and he disappeared.
Kuja floated nearby with a grin on his face. "Come forth, Invincible!" he yelled raising his hands upward. Suddenly and eye in the dark and gloomy sky opened up hovering over Alexandria. Garnet's clam feeling was replaced by fear and horror. As if in panic the wings closed for protection. Invincible shot an enormous beam consuming the castle. Garnet and Eiko covered the heads as electricity burst around the castle top. Suddenly the castle exploded. Garnet screamed as the part of the castle she was standing on broke away form the rest and began falling downward. She looked up at Zidane. "Help me!!!" she cried. Zidane panicked and grabbed onto a cord with celebrating flags on it. He swung down toward Garnet and landed on her castle piece. She looked at him for a moment in worry and then hugged him. Zidane held onto the cord as they were lifted up in air. They looked up and Eiko was sitting safely on the cord. Garnet smiled and looked at Zidane before hugging him happily.
Zidane, Garnet, and Eiko boarded safely onto the ship. Suddenly Invincible shot out an enormous blinding beam destroying almost all of Alexandria. Garnet sank to her knees she covered a hand over her mouth in horror and shock. As if suddenly hit by the realization of it all she thrust her head into her hands crying. Zidane wrapped an arm around here. "I-It's gone...." Steiner said in dismay. He hung his head. "I failed you Alexandria...." Beatrix whispered running a hand to the side of her face hiding it. Vivi looked down sadly as Eiko just stood there. "We made a big mess huh?" she said ashamed. Amarant turned away and walked inside calmly. Freya just shook her head and turned away. Sora stood there numbly and closed his eyes painfully. "Was this what it was like when heartless attacked a world?" he said. "G-Garnet....I'm sorry...." Zidane whispered hanging his head. Garnet stood up numbly with tears stinging her eyes. Her legs wobbled and she just let her head bend back with the heat and wind blowing into her face. She closed her eyes and collapsed. Zidane caught her and looked back at the flames.
Garnet just sat in her room on her bed. Zidane came in. "I hope you don't mind. Tot said it'd be alright if I visited you." Zidane said hesitantly. Garnet didn't say anything. "I know that it sounds annoying, I bet everybody has told you this but, I'm sorry." Zidane said scratching his head nervously. Garnet smiled slightly. "How do you feel?" Zidane asked. Garnet didn't answer. Zidane looked down shamefully. "Stupid question huh?" he muttered. Garnet didn't reply to that either. 'She must be angry. I shouldn't have bothered her.' Zidane thought hurtfully. "I'll just go and let you rest now. Sorry for bothering you." Zidane said and turned away sadly. Garnet looked up quickly as he turned and shook her head vigorously. By the time she had run after him he had closed the door. Garnet just hung her head and sank to her knees.
Zidane sat there with the crew. "All four nations destroyed. How many mothers, fathers, and children died?!" Beatrix said in anguish. Steiner had tears run down his face. "Alexandria...I failed you..." he whispered. Zidane rolled his eyes. Eiko just stared at the ground. "Garnet must feel terrible." She said. "She lost her mother and city all in one day!" Vivi said shaking his head sadly. Amarant entered into the room silent with no emotion displayed on his face. "Regent Cid wishes to see us to discuss a strategy against Kuja." Amarant told them. "Okay, we'll be there in a minute." Zidane replied. Amarant nodded and left. "Wait! Garnet isn't here." Eiko exclaimed. "Last I saw her she was in her room resting." Zidane told her. "I'll go look for her!" Eiko said running past him. "Wait-!" Zidane called out after her but it was too late.
Zidane and the group entered the conference room. Eiko was still looking for Garnet. Regent Cid sat in his seat presiding in the room. "We think we know where Kuja is." Beatrix said. "Beatrix! You're here!" Steiner exclaimed suddenly paling. Then he blushed. "We thought you stayed in Alexandria. We didn't mean to ditch on you though. It was just Garnet was so stressed and when she was collapsed Tot advised us to get her away from the place to recover." Zidane said. Beatrix smiled. "I'm not upset with you. We have more important things to talk about." Beatrix replied. "We've detected a powerful energy source form the Iifa Tree." Beatrix said (yeah, I know. Different from the game but I don't really want to go through the third disk along with the fourth). "Is it Kuja?!" Zidane asked. "We can't say for sure. But we can't go without a plan." Beatrix explained. Suddenly Eiko burst in the room. "What is it?!" Freya asked noticing the panicked look on Eiko's face. "I- it's G-Garnet!" she said trying to breath. Zidane ran up to her. "What?! What's wrong with her?!" he yelled fearfully. "S-She can't talk!" Eiko blurted out and there were numerous exclamations of disbelief. "Where is she?!" Zidane begged in panic. "In the guest room!" Eiko answered and without another word everyone dashed out of the room.
Zidane burst through the door and saw Sora examining Garnet. Before Sora could react Zidane had thrown him aside. He kneeled on the floor in front of the bed where Garnet sat with her head hung. "Princess?!" Steiner said hysterically. "Your highness, what's wrong?" Beatrix asked knowing well what was. Garnet tried to speak but tears just came out. Zidane sat on the bed with her. He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. Gladly, Garnet cried into his chest. "The grief of losing her mother and kingdom must have been too much for her to handle. She has lost her voice." Tot said entering the room. Zidane looked at him. "How long will she be like this? Years?" Zidane asked fearfully. "Only when she came overcome her grief will she be able to speak again, it may be weeks, days, or yes, even years." Tot answered. "My Princess, I have failed you." Steiner cried. Zidane gritted his teeth. "Beatrix, what was it you were saying about the Iifa Tree?" Zidane asked angrily.
The ship hovered into air (this will probably be very short form here on out, sorry, I just don't have a real passion fro FFIX but I do like it). "Garnet, I know you get enough of this from Steiner but I think you should stay and rest here." Zidane said not very firmly. Garnet shook her head firmly and walked past him. He sighed in defeat. Steiner was being dragged away by Beatrix. "She shouldn't go with us!" Steiner said kicking his legs. Vivi and Eiko stared after him their bodies slowly turning in different directions as Steiner was dragged off. "What kind of childhood do you think he had?" Eiko asked Vivi who shrugged. Amarant just huffed. "You're stuck up." Eiko muttered. "You're a child." Amarant snorted. "No, I have a life. I accept people's kindness. What? Were you an orphan since childhood?" Eiko spat. Amarant growled and stepped towards her angrily. "That's none of your business!" he growled. "I hit a nerve." Eiko said smirking. "Hey stop it you two!" Vivi pleaded as they glared at each other. Suddenly something slowly floated up next to the ship on the side by Eiko, Vivi, and Amarant. Zidane caught sight of it. "Kuja?!" Zidane yelled. The silvered haired man smiled maliciously. "Ah, as I expected." Kuja said boredly. "I have come to fulfill my dreams." Kuja exclaimed tossing his hands in air vividly as he spoke. "Shut up! I've had enough! All those people you killed!" Zidane accused angrily.
Kuja then regarded Zidane with a disgusted frown. "You're a disappointment." He snorted. He smiled and lifted his hands upward. "Invincible!" he called out. The clouds around the Iifa tree darkened and soon an eye appeared searching for its summoner. "Destroy them!" Kuja yelled pointing to his enemies. Sora's eyes widened. "Jump overboard!" he yelled. Invincible fired a laser cutting the ship in half followed by an explosion as everyone jumped. Sora yelled as he fell. He summoned Pegasus. The keyblade appeared in his hands as he flew up to the invincible slashing it across the eye. Sora flew downward to catch the others. He felt Amarant land on Pegasus' back with Beatrix. Amarant caught the hand ok Eiko who was holding onto Vivi while Beatrix caught Steiner. Sora flew down and grabbed Freya. Sora's eyes scanned for Garnet and Zidane. "They're gone!" Beatrix cried fearfully. "Princess!" Steiner cried.
"Is this death?" Zidane asked noticing he was in complete darkness. Aside form that he didn't feel normal, like he was in a dream-no-a nightmare. "Where are the others?" Zidane whispered he heard a scream. "That sounded like-? Garnet?!" Zidane yelled out searching for her in panic. Steiner appeared in front of him. "You let the Princess die!" Steiner accused. He disappeared replaced by Eiko. "You said you cared for her!" she snapped and vanished. "I trusted you!" Vivi cried in betrayal before disappearing. "I'd trusted you with my life and the Princess's!" Beatrix spat and disappeared. "You haven't changed at all." Freya said disappointed and she also disappeared. "You called me your friend but you betrayed me." Amarant said angrily and finally he too disappeared. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." Zidane whispered sadly in shame. "What about me?" a familiar voice called. " What about you?" Zidane asked. "You never let me down. You never let your real friends down." A light appeared in the darkness. Zidane looked up. "G-Garnet?" Zidane whispered hopefully. She smiled at Zidane and he noticed she looked different. She was wearing her elegant gown that she wore when she became queen. She had an unearthly light about her. Under her was some round sign on the ground. The design looked like it was Garnet dressed normal. She was poised with a dagger at her side with her other hand holding up her necklace. She was surrounded by doves with the Castle of Alexandria in the distance behind her. Framing the circle was the Roman numeral IX along with some other sign (FFIX Logo). "You've awakened me from the dream." Garnet said walking to him. Garnet hugged Zidane and he hugged back. "I've done nothing for you." Zidane said. "That's not true and you know it! You've done so much for me-for the others!" Garnet argued. "You've changed us and we've changed you." Garnet added. "If I had never met you Gaea would have been completely destroyed a long time ago. I would have never found out where I was from or who I really was. I'd never have experienced the joy and happiness of meeting you and the others! I'd be watching my kingdom fall without me having the strength or courage to do anything." Garnet said and Zidane looked confused. "I did all that?" he asked. Garnet nodded. "And what about Steiner? You've helped him learn to become a true Knight. What about Beatrix? Without you she would have remained blind and on the wrong side. Freya would be living her lonely life back in Limblum. Amarant would have had no friend and Eiko wouldn't have been here to help me protect my kingdom. Vivi would have gone on living alone and confused in Alexandria not knowing who he was." Garnet continued and Zidane felt suddenly bashful. "And you," Garnet said grinning and Zidane snapped his head up, "You would have gone on as a flirt getting in trouble!" Garnet said giggling and Zidane grinned. "Now how is that bad?" Zidane asked flashing a charming smile. Garnet frowned suddenly. "Woah! I was just kidding!" Zidane said nervously. "It's time to go back." Garnet said sadly. "Huh?" Zidane said confused as a light engulfed them. Zidane looked for Garnet but all he heard was her voice. "I'll find you again...."
Sora felt himself hit the familiar ground. He looked behind himself and saw the door to the IX world close. The door soon disappeared all together. He stood up and dusted himself off. Next was a new door with the Roman numeral VIII.