A/N: Ah, this is it! The character-death chapter! The freakin' horror!
Haha, who will it be? Heh, I bet people who've never even read this fic'll
read it just to see who gets squashed! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Well, what are
you waiting for?! Read the damn thing already! It's the longest chapter
yet . . . SEVENTEEN PAGES!!!
Disclaimer: Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he didn't own Final Fantasy . . . Ha . . . Ha . . .
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"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
- Albert Pike
The cold winds lashed against their skin and caused the mismatched team to bend nearly double against the speckled gale. It felt as if Shiva herself was blowing furiously upon them, slapping their damp hair against their faces and burning through their clothes. Vivi, already tired from the grueling trip on such short legs, had collapsed into the snow only minutes before and now Fratley was carrying the boy in his arms and shielding him from the unrelenting wind. Eiko seemed ready to drop and even Garnet was beginning to look faint. It was a frightening thought each of them had that, if a Mist monster were to attack, they would be extremely unprepared . . .
"Why - can't - we - find - that - bloody - ship?!" Lani shouted furiously as she turned her face away from an icy gust. Her voice fell flat on the howling storm. "We've searched everywhere but still no sign of the Indomitable!"
"Quit complaining . . ." Amarant growled, bowing his head in the wind. Lani glared at him.
"It has to be around here somewhere . . ." Zidane murmured determinedly, glancing nervously at Garnet. She nodded numbly, her eyes glassy.
"M-maybe we should stop . . ." Vivi suggested from the security of Fratley's arms. The dragoon knight muttered in agreement, blinking snow from his eyes.
"That's a good idea. We're all exhausted. We can't go on much further . . ."
"Well we can't stop in the middle of nowhere!" Steiner retorted. "We'd get attacked in minutes!"
"Kuja," Zidane hissed, turning towards his brother. "You have the best eyesight of any of us here; can you see anything up ahead?"
Kuja, who looked strangely bored and annoyed as the snow gathered around his knees, squinted into the veil of white before his eyes.
"There's a forest about a mile ahead . . ." he said slowly, frowning. "We could possibly get there within the hour . . ."
Beatrix shrugged. "It's worth a shot,"
Quina nodded excitedly. "Quina cook Zidane and friends big stew in forest! Replenish energy in no time!"
No one seemed too thrilled at this comment but they were all too tired to respond.
Indeed, it took about an hour to reach the forest. Once there, the crew noted the thickness of its barren trees and evergreens. It would be a worthy shelter while the blizzard died down. The trees, though devoid of leaves and bent into skeletal positions, were also numerous in number and nearly blocked out the storm completely. The forest floor was cleansed with patches of white, creamy snow, and small icicles hung from the evergreens as if a great hand had passed over the droplets of water, freezing them gracefully in their descent. The forest was dark, yet sparkling with ice. It was rather pretty in a strange, different sort of way.
"Thank heavens we're out of that storm . . ." Freya exclaimed gratefully, pushing back her wide-brimmed hat. "I thought we were all going to catch our deaths out there!"
"Freya, don't talk like that," Garnet pleaded, though she, too, seemed relieved to be within the forest.
"We should probably go deeper," Beatrix commented, squinting into the glittering darkness. "Let's get out of harm's way before we rest. Vivi, can you walk?"
Vivi nodded, straightening his hat with embarrassment. Fratley, smiling, lowered the little mage to the ground.
"Hey Kuja," Zidane whispered, beckoning his brother to his side. "I'm not the only one here who feels the . . . presence . . . in the forest, am I?"
"You mean that tingling feeling like something really bad is about to happen?"
"Yeah, how'd you - oh. You too, huh?"
Kuja nodded placidly, crystalline eyes gazing into the trees as they moved along. "I've sensed it for miles. There's evil within this forest . . . We'd best be on the lookout,"
However, unbeknownst to them, a specter watched the crew silently from the trees. It's silver eyes narrowed and it laughed its tinkling laugh.
". . . The lookout is on you . . ."
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"Chikara reporting, sir,"
Garland stared down his pointed nose as the muscular young man lowered himself to one knee before his master's feet. Several other geonomes mimicked Chikara as well and bent themselves gracefully, bowing.
"This had better be good, Chikara," Garland drawled. "If you have come simply to tell me Fubuki has not agreed to aid us and my teleporters have not returned . . ."
"These . . . are the teleporters," Chikara admitted, blushing. "Or at least some of them," The teleporters murmured slightly in response but otherwise didn't move from their crouched positions. Among the geonome hierarchy, some geonomes had adapted better to certain qualities. A select few of the people had developed amazing teleporting skills; some were even able to teleport to other continents. Those were the geonomes that bowed before Garland's blackened throne.
"And was their mission successful?" Garland queried. Chikara nodded hesitantly.
"Yes, sir. The genomes were rounded up immediately from the Black Mage Village. But sir, if I may comment . . ." Garland nodded and Chikara continued. "The black mages are 'aware' now as well . . . Should we not capture them too?"
Garland smirked as if mocking Chikara's naivety. "The black mages are useless to my plan . . . They are simple creations of Kuja; a creation himself. They are foolish creatures, trusting, simple . . . When I have successfully assimilated Gaia and Terra, I want them killed immediately. No questions asked,"
"And the genomes, sir?"
Garland chuckled. "Let them enjoy the time they have. Nothing can be done until Drakja returns. You are to gather the finest geonomes and go seek him out yourself. Help him kill Kuja's companions and you will be rewarded,"
Chikara nodded silently.
Beside Garland's throne, a German Shepard lay curled upon the floor and licking the wounds that tore its leg. At Garland's command, the dog growled sharply. Before their very eyes, it transformed back into a woman, each part melting fluidly into the humanoid form. It was Lulian, and she did not look happy.
"Garland, sir, please allow me to accompany Chikara on this mission. I have been out of commission for so long, please let me avenge my absence on the one who injured me!"
Garland shook his head, no. Her wounds were not yet healed. He would need Lulian later, of course. But at the moment she was useless. Lulian, though in her geonome form, pulled her heavily painted lips off her teeth in a low growl. They distinctly heard her mutter "this sucks" before she reverted into the German Shepard and resumed nursing her wounds.
"Chikara, you must get ready," said Garland softly. "Don't let Drakja fail,"
Chikara nodded, rising from the floor.
"It is done . . ."
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As the crew wandered deeper into the forest, the trees became closer together and the area became drenched in darkness. Despite this, the glittering of ice lit their path and made the forest look like a sparkling, ethereal palace. However, it was obvious at this point that the ice was unnatural . . . Though the group was too tired to dwell much on it, the thought still lingered on their hearts.
The team remained in relative silence throughout the trip. Their feet dragged as they bowed their heads in exhaustion. Suddenly, Kuja stopped.
"Eh? Kuja, what is it?"
Kuja's eyes were narrowed angrily and he seemed to be staring up into the trees. Zidane was becoming concerned.
"Kuja, what's wrong?"
The warlock pressed a finger to his lips to quiet the younger boy. He jerked his head in the direction he was looking, signalling for Zidane's eyes to follow his gaze.
Zidane cocked his head, frowning. "Kuja, I don't see . . ."
Zidane was interrupted by a low, jingling laugh that made the team's skin crawl. There was a flash of something in the trees and instinctively everyone reached for their weapons.
"You fools have wandered into the wrong forest . . ." a sinister, seductive female voice murmured from above them. It echoed amongst the trees and filled the forest with a powerful, cold aura.
"Who is it?!" Steiner shouted angrily, holding the Excalibur II tightly in his grasp. "Show yourself!"
"Come closer, then . . ." the voice responded.
The crew hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances with each other. Finally, they turned questioningly to Kuja, whose tail was thrashing the ground irritably. He nodded, allowing them to go further. Tentatively, the team crept deeper into the trees. Doubt was written all over their faces, but they were willing to take on any challenge.
They gasped, however, at the sight that met them next. Planted within a large clearing in the forest and rising ghostly and tall above the heads of the team was an imperial throne of ice. It's base was of a thousand crystals and its chiseled form was glittering with the light of a million stars. The team could only gape in awe, struck dumb by the towering castle of ice. And perched gracefully at the top and gazing down upon them was a woman.
Of course, she was no ordinary woman. Her skin was a ghostly white and gave off a mysterious glow. Her hair, which was a glittering silver, was pulled back into a long, trailing ponytail sprinkled with flecks of ice. She was tall and slim, and wearing very little despite the cold. She looked almost eerily like Shiva, but there was something different about her. Something evil . . .
"Who are you?!" Zidane demanded, holding his daggers where the woman could see them. She chuckled at his feeble attempt to appear threatening.
"My name is Fubuki," the woman murmured softly. "But you may call me your death,"
"Ugh . . . clichés . . ." Amarant growled, glaring up at Fubuki through his mass of red hair. "I HATE people who speak in clichés . . ."
"Well that's too bad," the woman sighed, cradling a ball of ice between her fingers. "Because your hatred may become your downfall tonight . . ."
"Who are you?!" Beatrix demanded. "I am General Beatrix of the Alexandrian army and I demand an explanation,"
"Ah, so you are from Alexandria?" Fubuki queried in her tinkling voice. "Well, seeing as how Alexandria is not even on this continent, you have no authority over me. But I am feeling generous today . . . My name is Fubuki and I am the queen of this forest. I have killed greater men then yourselves and I will not cease to do so again,"
"She is a snow monster," Kuja said simply, gazing placidly at Fubuki. "Nothing more. A creation of Garland's, no less, and one which I accompanied to Gaia when he left her here . . ."
The group's eyes widened at this comment but Kuja didn't seem to notice. Fubuki, on the other hand, cocked her head with curiosity.
"You were that little whelp?" she said softly, laughing. "Why, Garland spoke nothing but curses about you . . . But . . . did he not say you would be dead by now? How old are you . . . twenty-eight?"
"Twenty-seven," Kuja corrected coldly.
"Will you let us leave in peace?" Garnet pleaded, forcing eye-contact with the snow monster. Fubuki laughed.
"Let you leave in peace?! Are you fools?! I was told by the tailed man to kill you all!"
"Damnit . . . Garland . . ." Zidane huffed, smacking a fist into his hand. "Looks like we have no choice but to fight you, eh?"
Fubuki smiled. "I'm glad you finally see things my way . . . PREPARE YOURSELVES!!!"
And thus began the battle that would change their lives forever . . .
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"Come on!"
"Get outta here!"
"Move it!"
The Indomitable had become filled with the angry shouts of geonomes and the threatening crack of the whips. On the deck, a slow, mournful procession was making its way onto the ship.
Chikara cackled as he watched the disturbing parade of people. "Excellent, Cho," he addressed a female geonome standing in the main entrance. "I don't think you missed a single one . . ."
Cho smiled coldly, brushing back a strand of mahogany hair, which was highlighted with red.
"The genomes were easy prey . . . They still believe in obeying orders, though I must say a few put up a bit of a struggle . . ."
Chikara nodded, gazing on as dozens of genomes shuffled their feet up the main bridge. Their hands were tightly bound and their faces and bodies cut from the whips of their captors. The poor creature's tails hung miserably on the floor and their heads were bowed in sadness.
"Take them to the lower dungeons!" Chikara yelled over the heads of Cho's teleporting geonome squad. "Keep them in the cells until Drakja returns!" he turned to address Cho. "Watch them for a moment. I'm going to go remove the Summoner-wench from The Whipping Pit,"
Cho nodded and immediately began shouting commands. "C'mon! Don't let them slow down! Damn it, pick that genome up!"
Chikara raced deeper into the ship until he had finally found the accursed room. When he had successfully punched in the lock code and waited for the door to slide open with its steamy hiss, he stepped blatantly into the room.
"Alright, girl," he muttered. "I'm taking you to the lower dungeons. Lucky for you, I'm going to be gone for a few days. Try to recuperate while I'm absent," He smiled coldly.
Megan hung limply in her chains, seemingly asleep; possibly dead. Blood streamed down her arms and across her back, but still she showed no signs of pain. Silently, her eyes opened and she remained motionless and lax as Chikara removed her bindings.
With the final click, Megan slumped to the floor. For a moment she lay there, unmoving. Then, with a cry like a wounded animal, she lashed out with one foot and kicked Chikara in the shin. He stumbled backwards, caught off guard, and made a frantic grab for the short-haired girl.
But it was too late. She was already making a run for it.
"Damn you, you Summoner-whore!" Chikara screamed as he tore furiously from the room. Megan looked fearfully over her shoulder and then broke into a panicked run. Oh boy, was she in for it this time . . . Her feet were already throbbing with pain.
"Morons, catch her!" Chikara cried as Megan flew past a group of geonomes, knocking them unceremoniously to the floor. The minions blinked stupidly for several seconds before scrambling to their feet to chase the prisoner.
Megan ran through dozens of tunnels and rooms, down countless halls, and passageways. She hadn't realized a ship could be so big! Already the deactivated Summoner could feel her body slowing with fatigue. Her breath was coming in short gasps and a cramp had formed in her side.
"D-damn it . . .!"
She saw a room nearby with a large, gleaming metal door. It looked like some kind of boiler room. Megan raced towards it and began yanking hard on the handle like a trapped animal. She managed to wrench it open, but some sort of lock held the door only slightly ajar. With a cry of frustration, Megan stumbled backwards, breathing hard.
". . . No . . .!"
". . .Who . . .?"
Megan froze. There was a pair of violent purple eyes in the crack of the door, staring at her in surprise. The Summoner clutched onto the door handle, sobbing.
"Please . . . Please let me in . . ." Tears poured, unbidden, down her cheeks. "Please . . . Help me . . ."
A soft, female voice came from the other side of the door, and it sounded regretful. "I can't . . . The door's locked . . ."
Megan slid down the cool, metal wall, clutching onto the steel and crying. She could hear nothing but the other woman's breathing. Then the storm of footsteps came and Megan leapt to her feet in fear.
"No! No!"
They were on her in minutes. The geonomes seized her roughly by the arms and threw the prisoner to the floor, yanking on her hair. Megan screamed as they began to drag her towards the basement stairs.
"No!" she screamed. "No, I can't summon! My horn - they cut it; it's gone! Please!"
As her voice faded out down the hallway, the woman with the purple eyes stared, horrified, through the gap in the door, reliving what she had just seen.
"No . . . It couldn't be . . ."
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Zidane and his comrades scattered as a blaze of ice crystals flew in their direction. Zidane, a bit slow on the uptake, stumbled as one of the cold daggers pierced his shoulder. Skidding to a halt, he got into an attack stance. The rest of the crew followed suit.
"Kuja!" Beatrix shouted. "Can you use magic?!"
Kuja responded by summoning a surprisingly large Firaga. But rather than hitting the enemy, Kuja aimed the fiery blaze at the base of Fubuki's throne. Immediately a pool of water began to crush the snow as the ice tower sagged into the flames. Fubuki leapt from her perch just in time to watch the last of her beautiful throne revert to water.
"Bah . . . Tactless . . ." she simpered, turning her crystalline eyes onto Kuja. He smiled wryly and charged. The rest of the team did so as well.
Soon, the group was slashing, clawing, and parrying as they tried desperately to take down the snow-monster. But Fubuki was lightning fast and she dodged away from the mess of attackers immediately.
"Vivi, get her!" Garnet cried, turning to the rather exhausted black mage. Vivi nodded, small flames gathering in his fingers. But he was too slow and Fubuki unleashed a hail of ice-balls in his direction. Freya managed to grab Vivi and leap into the air just in time. The ice balls smacked into the snow and cracked the ground below. The team gaped in awe.
Fubuki simply smirked, flipping one of the small weapons in her hands.
"You can't defeat me . . . You are ants compared to my power . . ."
"Shut up!" Lani shrieked, pulling her axe back and lunging at her nemesis. She brought the glimmering weapon screaming through the air and the team covered their eyes, expecting to see their enemy's head rolling in the snow. Fubuki yawned and grabbed the axe by its blade. A small trickle of silvery blood ran down her palm but she ignored it. Fubuki flashed Lani a quick smile at the sight of the girl's startled face and then flung her through the air like a rag-doll; axe and all. Amarant caught Lani, much to the bandit's dismay.
"Let go of me . . ." she demanded, glaring up at the red-headed man. Amarant shrugged and dropped Lani on her butt, making her shriek in frustration. Fubuki laughed.
"Not much cooperation among this team now, is there?" she queried in a mocking tone. "Gracious me . . . How did you people ever think you stood a chance?"
"We'll defeat you yet!" Eiko snarled, holding a flute to her lips. The crew immediately pulled back in preparation for the Summon. Fubuki looked bored. Eiko closed her eyes, a sharp undulating tune emanating from the tiny instrument.
The ground began to split and a steady crack ran from Eiko's feet towards Fubuki. The snow-monster didn't move, though the seam went between her bare feet. Beams of cold blue light shot from Gaia's core and the crack began to widen. Understanding the full power of the Guardian Forces, Eiko's comrades backed up further. Typically during this Summon, a massive creature arose from the ground with a large silver wolf perched atop its head. This time, however, a mournful howl rose through the air. The sky darkened, momentarily revealing the blood red orb that was Terra and the white moon that lay nestled in the stars beside it. Then the large, blue- gray form of Fenrir charged from the planet itself, gnashing its teeth and snapping its jaws hungrily. Eiko lowered the flute, smiling coldly at Fubuki.
"Fenrir, kill her,"
The large wolf charged through the air as if on wings and at its silent command, enormous earthen stakes arose, trembling, from the snow. Fubuki lightly leapt above them dodging each of the deadly spears. Then she landed silently on the snow, looking smug.
"Dratted wolf . . . Fenrir, sit!"
She pointed a finger at the great Summon and whistled. A glow emanated from her hand and suddenly Fenrir jerked as if in pain and began to thrash wildly in the snow. He seemed to be struggling against a powerful force that was trying to pull him down. Eiko, realizing Fenrir's life was in danger, waved a hand and he was gone. Fubuki looked extremely proud of herself.
"Do you see now?" she queried, annoyed. "Your silly little tricks cannot kill me. Nothing can . . . Only myself . . ."
/Sh-she's not joking . . .!/ Zidane realized, horrified. /What is Fubuki's weakness?!/
"Kuja, how much magic do you have left?!" the blonde genome yelled towards his brother, who stood calmly nearby. Kuja hesitated, then admitted he had very little. Garland's hold over his reserves was strong.
"Shit," Zidane muttered. "Well, I guess I'll give it a shot . . . I didn't want to have to use this thing . . . But I guess I don't have a choice,"
As Vivi kept Fubuki busy by hurling small flames at her (which she simply brushed away with a sweep of her hand) and Garnet began casting protective spells upon the party, Zidane pocketed his daggers and reached for the weapon strapped across his back. Kuja watched him silently. Little did they know what was sheathed beneath the warlock's cloak . . .
"Ultima Weapon!" Zidane cried, raising the massive, double-sided scythe above his head. Several members of the group gasped, not having realized what weapon was within the sheathe upon Zidane's back. Freya, who was in mid-jump and holding her spear pointed straight down at Fubuki nearly dropped her weapon in surprise.
Zidane charged, the blade gleaming in the cold, searing air, a cry arising from his lips. Fubuki, not having expected Zidane to come at her with such an enormously large weapon, pulled back and caught one of the blades with a large icicle. The two remained locked, their arms trembling. Though the icicle was cracking, Fubuki's strength kept Zidane in check. It dawned on everyone there that whomever backed down first would be the one to die.
"D-die already!" Zidane choked out, baring down upon the snow-monster. Fubuki snarled angrily.
"You first!" she spat back. Suddenly, the snow-monster's eyes widened in fear and the icicle shattered. She leapt high into the air causing Zidane to stumble forwards. Zidane gasped as a blade whizzed out of nowhere at his feet, right where Fubuki had been standing. It was a thin blade, but the longest one he'd ever seen in his entire life. The genome looked up just in time to see Kuja standing calmly a few feet away, pulling the sword back to his side.
"My apologies . . ." he said slowly. "I am not as skilled at the blade as you are; my timing was off . . ."
Beatrix then asked the question that was on everyone else's mind. "Kuja, where the HELL did you get that enormous sword?!"
Kuja didn't respond, simply pulled the blade back into an attacking position, frowning. "Zidane, seeing as how you are far more superior at the use of swords than I am, please accompany me in the killing of this pest,"
Zidane stared at Kuja in confusion for a moment before a smile broke across his lips. "Sure thing, big brother . . ."
And there they stood, the two sons of Garland, each poised with a blade as long as their own bodies. The genome's faces held a strange confidence as if their partnership was the deciding factor in their victory. Kuja, though having not wielded a sword in almost fifteen years, seemed wizened and experienced in the art. He would not, however, admit that the sword had come from the woman he had come to loathe . . .
Fubuki's eyes narrowed dangerously and her slim form tensed in preparation. Zidane chuckled.
"Come and get it!"
Then the two brothers charged, slashing skillfully at their nemesis. Fubuki dodged their attacks, but just barely. Frustrated, the snow-monster leapt high into the air.
"Damn you!" she cried, forming a large ice-spear in her hand and throwing it down upon her enemies. Zidane swung the Ultima blade through the dagger, shattering the ice into a thousand tiny fragments. As he did so, Kuja summoned a crackling Thundaga, forcing Fubuki out of the air. She landed lightly in the snow, glowering with rage.
"Do not mock me!" she shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at the pair. The Shiva-like creature glanced up at a tall, looming cliff nearby. Fubuki seemed to be looking for something. Kuja's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Don't look away!" Beatrix cried, suddenly lunging at Fubuki with Save the Queen. As if on cue, the rest of the party charged. Fubuki, outnumbered, parried with one of her seemingly endless icicles. Unfortunately, the crew had pushed too far. Fubuki, enraged, dropped all tact. Now was her time for vengeance . . .
Her eyes darted angrily around at her enemies. She saw Vivi preparing another fire attack off to the side. Fubuki dodged Fratley's spear and suddenly threw herself at the little black mage. She shoved him into the snow and, using the momentum from the attack, propelled herself back into the air. Vivi, stunned, coughed and struggled to get back to his feet. Freya ran to help the small mage up when Fubuki shot down upon the Dragoon Knight like an arrow and cut the woman across the arm with an ice-spear. Freya cried out, falling backwards. Desperately, the Dragoon Knight kicked out at the snow-monster. Unfortunately, Fubuki had her pinned her to her back and, before anyone could stop her, she had slammed a powerful Blizzaga attack straight into Freya's chest. The rat-like woman cried out and then fell limp. Fubuki sprang off her victim with victory shining in her crystalline eyes.
Now the tables had turned. Delighted with her victory over the Dragoon Knight, within minutes Fubuki had managed to exhaust nearly the entire crew. Garnet was crouched in the snow, clutching at her bleeding arm. Amarant had a gash across his face and the rest of the team was almost too tired to stand. Beatrix dropped to her knees, breathing hard.
"Sh-she's t-too damn FAST!" the general gasped, glaring up at the tall, silvery woman. Fubuki put her hands on her hips smugly, glancing around at the challengers.
"You're all giving up already?! But I was hoping for a REAL fight!"
/We can't beat her . . ./ Zidane reasoned, kneeling on one knee as he fought to get his breath back. Kuja stood nearby, holding the large Masamune ready in case Fubuki thought of attacking. His eyes were glazed with exhaustion.
"We can't beat her . . ." he mumbled unintelligently, mimicking his brother's fevered thoughts.
"That's right," Fubuki said, smiling. "I am unstoppable. I TOLD you! Nothing can kill me but myself! And believe me, suicide is the last thing on my to-do list. Now who shall I take out first . . .?"
Her eyes traveled from face to tired face. "Should I kill the knight? No, his armor is rusted solid from the snow. That would be no fun," Steiner glared angrily but wouldn't admit he was frozen stiff. "What about the vermin? No, no . . . I have already defeated one; the other is too weak to rise. The bandits are both injured, the genderless Qu is knocked out cold, the queen is bleeding to death, the general is handicapped - and I certainly have more sense than to pick a fight with the great General Beatrix - and the puny little Summoner and mage are both too injured to be a fair battle. But . . . What about the genomes?"
She turned to face the two young men, her eyes glittering with delight. "I would find much joy in taking out the first Angel of Death, but alas . . . I was ordered to spare his life. So I'm afraid my little silver-haired fool must live. I regret to say that leaves only you," she said softly to Zidane. "Come, will you not fight me?"
Zidane, growling, began to rise. But before he had even lifted his sword, Fubuki had smacked him squarely across the face, hurling him backwards. Zidane skidded into the snow, crying out, and then lay still. Garnet weakly murmured his name but could not summon the strength go to him. It was amazing that, with only a few simple sweeps, Fubuki had turned the infamous crew from an unstoppable fighting machine to a band of novices unable to even shout out in anger.
Fubuki smiled coldly, standing above Zidane's body. He stirred, glaring up at her.
"N-no fair . . ." he muttered thickly. Fubuki laughed, and an impossibly large icicle formed from thin air within her fingers.
"And is it so fair that you pitted twelve against one?! Do not speak to me about fairness! Now . . . is the time to say your regrets for the life you will soon be leaving!"
There was a maddened gleam in her eyes, the likes of which Zidane had seen only once before when Kuja had first Tranced and realized the full potential of his power. Fubuki lifted the deadly icicle above her head, laughing.
"Goodbye, second son of Garland!"
Garnet screamed as half her comrades cried out in horror. The ice whizzed through the air, glinting maliciously against the snow. Zidane closed his eyes.
/Flash/
"Alright then, Your Highness! I shall hereby do my best to kidnap you!"
"The answer you seek may forever change your life for the worse."
"I find this rain quite pleasant . . ."
"She's asleep because she's tired. That's all . . ."
"Heroic? Human? Those are just things people say after the fact. Why try to give meaning to what the main character of the story chose?"
"Kuja used the waste product to make weapons. Weapons . . . like yourself."
"Lives come and go all the time. What's the big deal?"
"In order that our glorious history not die with us, we were constructed . . ."
"Shut up! I'm not like him at all!"
"I won't let this world exist without me!"
"In a world of nothing, fear does not exist."
"One day, you will choose destruction over existence."
"No one's useless . . ."
"I finally realized what it means to live . . ."
"Bring my beloved Dagger to me!"
"I wanted to come home to you. So . . . I sang our song."
"I love you, Dagger . . ."
/Flash/
A cry had filled the air like the sound of a strangled animal. Zidane felt something soft brush his skin and he opened his eyes nervously. Then he literally screamed in horror.
Quina, blood streaming down his back, stumbled in the snow. He was pinning something to the ground and snarling most unlike himself.
"You!" he shouted, sticking his face angrily into Fubuki's shocked one. "You bad person! I no let you take life of Quina's friend! I cook you good; spear you like chicken cabob!"
Zidane jerked into a sitting position and gazed on in utter disbelief. The butt end of Fubuki's icicle was sticking bloodily from Quina's back but the front, which had burst through the Qu's stomach, was lodged in Fubuki's abdomen and gushing silvery blood. The scenario made sense immediately. Quina had leapt in front of Zidane, taking the blow for him, and then fell into Fubuki, impaling her with her own blade!
Fubuki gasped in pain and surprise and managed to shove Quina off her ruined body. The Qu fell backwards and collapsed into the snow, too injured to move. Fubuki rose shakily to her feet, staring confusedly at the wound that was slowly spilling her life out into the thick, powdery snow. The ground was soaking in the molten silver of her blood.
/Flash/
I told you! Nothing can kill me but myself!
/Flash/
/Of course . . ./ Zidane thought suddenly, a light-bulb going on over his head. /Nothing we do can kill Fubuki. Nothing can kill her but her own weapons . . ./
"N-no . . ."
Her eyes rolled up into her head and as a gust of wind blew across the forest, Fubuki disintegrated into a million snowflakes and blew away in a flurry of ice.
The snow-monster had been defeated . . .
Zidane sat there, stunned. For a moment there was nothing but a numbing mist filling the hole within his mind. It had all been too much . . . too fast . . . Finally his brain went on fast forward and the genome turned roughly to the situation at hand.
"Quina!" he called to the unmoving creature nearby. The Qu didn't even stir. The others watched apprehensively. Zidane frowned and crept slowly towards his comrade. During this time, Freya had awoken and, having missed the spectacle, was sitting up and staring dumbfounded at what lay a few feet away from her.
"Quina . . ." Zidane repeated faintly, making it to the Qu's side and reaching out to touch his arm. It was always impossible to tell if Quina's eyes were open or not, but at that moment they seemed to reawaken. His tongue flapped slightly in response and he smiled.
"Ah, Zidane . . . You no turn into chop suey . . ."
Zidane could feel tears forming in his eyes as he spotted the icicle that stuck like a flag-pole from Quina's stomach. Sniffling, the genome quickly held them back.
"N-no . . . I'm not chop suey . . . thanks to you . . ."
"Ay, I become shish cabob instead!" Quina laughed. Zidane could feel warm bile rising in his throat.
"Quina . . . You can't die . . ." he murmured softly. The Qu simply laughed.
"Zidane I fulfill quest! I try food in many places! I even try food on other planet!" Zidane chuckled sadly, wiping at his eyes. "I said I cook you big feast but Quina think saving you from barbecuing a thousand times better meal!"
"Please, Quina . . ." Zidane pleaded. "This isn't a complete victory if one of us dies . . ."
"Is complete victory!" Quina said forcefully, his voice growing fainter by the second as his blood spilled into the snow. "Snow-lady is gone! Is complete victory! Zidane, I . . . I so happy . . ."
And Quina spoke no more . . .
A heavy silence descended upon the team. No one dared move. Kuja, who had been the only one still standing, was staring coldly at the corpse. To the others he seemed not to feel sadness for the loss. But it was quite the opposite. Kuja was becoming fearful. He glanced up at the cliff-side and, as he had expected, the warlock spotted two pairs of glimmering green eyes looking down upon them from such a height that they were four emerald pin- pricks in the coming darkness.
Geonomes . . .
Kuja recalled how Fubuki had glanced up the mountainside. She'd been expecting them. Not wanting any more casualties, he hurriedly said,
"Let's bury the Qu quick,"
"Have you no compassion?!" Steiner shrieked, rising angrily to his feet. "Quina was a dear comrade who has been with us since nearly the beginning!"
Kuja turned stoically towards the knight. He didn't want to frighten them with what he'd seen. "I understand that . . ." he said slowly. "But we can't just dawdle here. That's what they want . . ." he added as an after- thought.
"Give us time to mourn!" Freya cried furiously, staring daggers into Kuja. "Is your heart really so caked in ice?!"
Kuja's eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed about to say something but Zidane was already rising to his feet.
"We will bury Quina in the snow for now and come back to give him a proper burial later . . . Kuja's right, this is dangerous . . . But first . . . I- I think we should have a moment of silence . . . For one of the first of our companions . . ."
The others nodded numbly. Eiko and Garnet were crying softly. Lani, though too tough for tears, was sniffling lightly.
They bowed their heads in silence, locked in steady prayer. Even Amarant remained respectively silent for his comrade. Kuja closed his eyes sadly . . .
And as the sun began to set heavily behind the mountains, the team that had now been reduced to eleven mourned silently for their loss . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: No . . . QUINA!!! *sob* It's so sad! Gah, that was so EVIL!!! Of course, now I have to give a good reason for taking the life of a main cast member, right? Fine. Here goes . . . See, in my opinion this fic wasn't . . . personal . . . enough for the main characters. I mean, the Final Fantasy IX characters were out to kill Garland just to save the world. It wasn't . . . personal. I mean, in Final Fantasy IX, it was personal because there was a direct threat to Zidane's friends and the villain was his brother and all that. But in this fic, it was just one of those "save the world for the people" kinda plots. Well, now it's not. Now it's a "do it for the life of our dead comrade!" types of plots. You know, one of those stories where something happens and the main character says all dramatically and crap: "Now . . . Now it's personal!" Heh. And I wanted Quina to have a noble death. I mean, I didn't want him to die like the idiot he always seemed in the game *sweatdrop* I mean, the thing pretty much sacrificed himself for his friends . . . That was pretty cool of him. I'll admit, I always kinda liked Quina. I didn't kill him 'cause he was annoying or anything. I mean, he was always so silly and friendly, like a sweet presence during the game. My favorite scene was definitely when Quina says "Ooh, flower smell good!" or something like that, and then says "Ooh, flower taste good too!" And then Freya says something to the affect of "Quina does whatever s/he wants, doesn't he?" (she seriously said "he" the second time) and Zidane responds with a rather sarcastic "I don't think it's intentional." I loved that . . . Poor Quina-sama. I say we should all have a moment of silence for Quina *sniffle* He had a good run . . . And his memory will live on in the story. TO SPUR ON THE CREW'S NEED FOR VENGEANCE, BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
RREEAADD AANNDD RREEVVIIEEWW!! (Next chapter's a MAJOR cliffy! Probably one of the biggest EVER!!! I'm feeling SO evil this week . . .)
Disclaimer: Why did the chicken cross the road? Because he didn't own Final Fantasy . . . Ha . . . Ha . . .
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"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
- Albert Pike
The cold winds lashed against their skin and caused the mismatched team to bend nearly double against the speckled gale. It felt as if Shiva herself was blowing furiously upon them, slapping their damp hair against their faces and burning through their clothes. Vivi, already tired from the grueling trip on such short legs, had collapsed into the snow only minutes before and now Fratley was carrying the boy in his arms and shielding him from the unrelenting wind. Eiko seemed ready to drop and even Garnet was beginning to look faint. It was a frightening thought each of them had that, if a Mist monster were to attack, they would be extremely unprepared . . .
"Why - can't - we - find - that - bloody - ship?!" Lani shouted furiously as she turned her face away from an icy gust. Her voice fell flat on the howling storm. "We've searched everywhere but still no sign of the Indomitable!"
"Quit complaining . . ." Amarant growled, bowing his head in the wind. Lani glared at him.
"It has to be around here somewhere . . ." Zidane murmured determinedly, glancing nervously at Garnet. She nodded numbly, her eyes glassy.
"M-maybe we should stop . . ." Vivi suggested from the security of Fratley's arms. The dragoon knight muttered in agreement, blinking snow from his eyes.
"That's a good idea. We're all exhausted. We can't go on much further . . ."
"Well we can't stop in the middle of nowhere!" Steiner retorted. "We'd get attacked in minutes!"
"Kuja," Zidane hissed, turning towards his brother. "You have the best eyesight of any of us here; can you see anything up ahead?"
Kuja, who looked strangely bored and annoyed as the snow gathered around his knees, squinted into the veil of white before his eyes.
"There's a forest about a mile ahead . . ." he said slowly, frowning. "We could possibly get there within the hour . . ."
Beatrix shrugged. "It's worth a shot,"
Quina nodded excitedly. "Quina cook Zidane and friends big stew in forest! Replenish energy in no time!"
No one seemed too thrilled at this comment but they were all too tired to respond.
Indeed, it took about an hour to reach the forest. Once there, the crew noted the thickness of its barren trees and evergreens. It would be a worthy shelter while the blizzard died down. The trees, though devoid of leaves and bent into skeletal positions, were also numerous in number and nearly blocked out the storm completely. The forest floor was cleansed with patches of white, creamy snow, and small icicles hung from the evergreens as if a great hand had passed over the droplets of water, freezing them gracefully in their descent. The forest was dark, yet sparkling with ice. It was rather pretty in a strange, different sort of way.
"Thank heavens we're out of that storm . . ." Freya exclaimed gratefully, pushing back her wide-brimmed hat. "I thought we were all going to catch our deaths out there!"
"Freya, don't talk like that," Garnet pleaded, though she, too, seemed relieved to be within the forest.
"We should probably go deeper," Beatrix commented, squinting into the glittering darkness. "Let's get out of harm's way before we rest. Vivi, can you walk?"
Vivi nodded, straightening his hat with embarrassment. Fratley, smiling, lowered the little mage to the ground.
"Hey Kuja," Zidane whispered, beckoning his brother to his side. "I'm not the only one here who feels the . . . presence . . . in the forest, am I?"
"You mean that tingling feeling like something really bad is about to happen?"
"Yeah, how'd you - oh. You too, huh?"
Kuja nodded placidly, crystalline eyes gazing into the trees as they moved along. "I've sensed it for miles. There's evil within this forest . . . We'd best be on the lookout,"
However, unbeknownst to them, a specter watched the crew silently from the trees. It's silver eyes narrowed and it laughed its tinkling laugh.
". . . The lookout is on you . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Chikara reporting, sir,"
Garland stared down his pointed nose as the muscular young man lowered himself to one knee before his master's feet. Several other geonomes mimicked Chikara as well and bent themselves gracefully, bowing.
"This had better be good, Chikara," Garland drawled. "If you have come simply to tell me Fubuki has not agreed to aid us and my teleporters have not returned . . ."
"These . . . are the teleporters," Chikara admitted, blushing. "Or at least some of them," The teleporters murmured slightly in response but otherwise didn't move from their crouched positions. Among the geonome hierarchy, some geonomes had adapted better to certain qualities. A select few of the people had developed amazing teleporting skills; some were even able to teleport to other continents. Those were the geonomes that bowed before Garland's blackened throne.
"And was their mission successful?" Garland queried. Chikara nodded hesitantly.
"Yes, sir. The genomes were rounded up immediately from the Black Mage Village. But sir, if I may comment . . ." Garland nodded and Chikara continued. "The black mages are 'aware' now as well . . . Should we not capture them too?"
Garland smirked as if mocking Chikara's naivety. "The black mages are useless to my plan . . . They are simple creations of Kuja; a creation himself. They are foolish creatures, trusting, simple . . . When I have successfully assimilated Gaia and Terra, I want them killed immediately. No questions asked,"
"And the genomes, sir?"
Garland chuckled. "Let them enjoy the time they have. Nothing can be done until Drakja returns. You are to gather the finest geonomes and go seek him out yourself. Help him kill Kuja's companions and you will be rewarded,"
Chikara nodded silently.
Beside Garland's throne, a German Shepard lay curled upon the floor and licking the wounds that tore its leg. At Garland's command, the dog growled sharply. Before their very eyes, it transformed back into a woman, each part melting fluidly into the humanoid form. It was Lulian, and she did not look happy.
"Garland, sir, please allow me to accompany Chikara on this mission. I have been out of commission for so long, please let me avenge my absence on the one who injured me!"
Garland shook his head, no. Her wounds were not yet healed. He would need Lulian later, of course. But at the moment she was useless. Lulian, though in her geonome form, pulled her heavily painted lips off her teeth in a low growl. They distinctly heard her mutter "this sucks" before she reverted into the German Shepard and resumed nursing her wounds.
"Chikara, you must get ready," said Garland softly. "Don't let Drakja fail,"
Chikara nodded, rising from the floor.
"It is done . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As the crew wandered deeper into the forest, the trees became closer together and the area became drenched in darkness. Despite this, the glittering of ice lit their path and made the forest look like a sparkling, ethereal palace. However, it was obvious at this point that the ice was unnatural . . . Though the group was too tired to dwell much on it, the thought still lingered on their hearts.
The team remained in relative silence throughout the trip. Their feet dragged as they bowed their heads in exhaustion. Suddenly, Kuja stopped.
"Eh? Kuja, what is it?"
Kuja's eyes were narrowed angrily and he seemed to be staring up into the trees. Zidane was becoming concerned.
"Kuja, what's wrong?"
The warlock pressed a finger to his lips to quiet the younger boy. He jerked his head in the direction he was looking, signalling for Zidane's eyes to follow his gaze.
Zidane cocked his head, frowning. "Kuja, I don't see . . ."
Zidane was interrupted by a low, jingling laugh that made the team's skin crawl. There was a flash of something in the trees and instinctively everyone reached for their weapons.
"You fools have wandered into the wrong forest . . ." a sinister, seductive female voice murmured from above them. It echoed amongst the trees and filled the forest with a powerful, cold aura.
"Who is it?!" Steiner shouted angrily, holding the Excalibur II tightly in his grasp. "Show yourself!"
"Come closer, then . . ." the voice responded.
The crew hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances with each other. Finally, they turned questioningly to Kuja, whose tail was thrashing the ground irritably. He nodded, allowing them to go further. Tentatively, the team crept deeper into the trees. Doubt was written all over their faces, but they were willing to take on any challenge.
They gasped, however, at the sight that met them next. Planted within a large clearing in the forest and rising ghostly and tall above the heads of the team was an imperial throne of ice. It's base was of a thousand crystals and its chiseled form was glittering with the light of a million stars. The team could only gape in awe, struck dumb by the towering castle of ice. And perched gracefully at the top and gazing down upon them was a woman.
Of course, she was no ordinary woman. Her skin was a ghostly white and gave off a mysterious glow. Her hair, which was a glittering silver, was pulled back into a long, trailing ponytail sprinkled with flecks of ice. She was tall and slim, and wearing very little despite the cold. She looked almost eerily like Shiva, but there was something different about her. Something evil . . .
"Who are you?!" Zidane demanded, holding his daggers where the woman could see them. She chuckled at his feeble attempt to appear threatening.
"My name is Fubuki," the woman murmured softly. "But you may call me your death,"
"Ugh . . . clichés . . ." Amarant growled, glaring up at Fubuki through his mass of red hair. "I HATE people who speak in clichés . . ."
"Well that's too bad," the woman sighed, cradling a ball of ice between her fingers. "Because your hatred may become your downfall tonight . . ."
"Who are you?!" Beatrix demanded. "I am General Beatrix of the Alexandrian army and I demand an explanation,"
"Ah, so you are from Alexandria?" Fubuki queried in her tinkling voice. "Well, seeing as how Alexandria is not even on this continent, you have no authority over me. But I am feeling generous today . . . My name is Fubuki and I am the queen of this forest. I have killed greater men then yourselves and I will not cease to do so again,"
"She is a snow monster," Kuja said simply, gazing placidly at Fubuki. "Nothing more. A creation of Garland's, no less, and one which I accompanied to Gaia when he left her here . . ."
The group's eyes widened at this comment but Kuja didn't seem to notice. Fubuki, on the other hand, cocked her head with curiosity.
"You were that little whelp?" she said softly, laughing. "Why, Garland spoke nothing but curses about you . . . But . . . did he not say you would be dead by now? How old are you . . . twenty-eight?"
"Twenty-seven," Kuja corrected coldly.
"Will you let us leave in peace?" Garnet pleaded, forcing eye-contact with the snow monster. Fubuki laughed.
"Let you leave in peace?! Are you fools?! I was told by the tailed man to kill you all!"
"Damnit . . . Garland . . ." Zidane huffed, smacking a fist into his hand. "Looks like we have no choice but to fight you, eh?"
Fubuki smiled. "I'm glad you finally see things my way . . . PREPARE YOURSELVES!!!"
And thus began the battle that would change their lives forever . . .
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"Come on!"
"Get outta here!"
"Move it!"
The Indomitable had become filled with the angry shouts of geonomes and the threatening crack of the whips. On the deck, a slow, mournful procession was making its way onto the ship.
Chikara cackled as he watched the disturbing parade of people. "Excellent, Cho," he addressed a female geonome standing in the main entrance. "I don't think you missed a single one . . ."
Cho smiled coldly, brushing back a strand of mahogany hair, which was highlighted with red.
"The genomes were easy prey . . . They still believe in obeying orders, though I must say a few put up a bit of a struggle . . ."
Chikara nodded, gazing on as dozens of genomes shuffled their feet up the main bridge. Their hands were tightly bound and their faces and bodies cut from the whips of their captors. The poor creature's tails hung miserably on the floor and their heads were bowed in sadness.
"Take them to the lower dungeons!" Chikara yelled over the heads of Cho's teleporting geonome squad. "Keep them in the cells until Drakja returns!" he turned to address Cho. "Watch them for a moment. I'm going to go remove the Summoner-wench from The Whipping Pit,"
Cho nodded and immediately began shouting commands. "C'mon! Don't let them slow down! Damn it, pick that genome up!"
Chikara raced deeper into the ship until he had finally found the accursed room. When he had successfully punched in the lock code and waited for the door to slide open with its steamy hiss, he stepped blatantly into the room.
"Alright, girl," he muttered. "I'm taking you to the lower dungeons. Lucky for you, I'm going to be gone for a few days. Try to recuperate while I'm absent," He smiled coldly.
Megan hung limply in her chains, seemingly asleep; possibly dead. Blood streamed down her arms and across her back, but still she showed no signs of pain. Silently, her eyes opened and she remained motionless and lax as Chikara removed her bindings.
With the final click, Megan slumped to the floor. For a moment she lay there, unmoving. Then, with a cry like a wounded animal, she lashed out with one foot and kicked Chikara in the shin. He stumbled backwards, caught off guard, and made a frantic grab for the short-haired girl.
But it was too late. She was already making a run for it.
"Damn you, you Summoner-whore!" Chikara screamed as he tore furiously from the room. Megan looked fearfully over her shoulder and then broke into a panicked run. Oh boy, was she in for it this time . . . Her feet were already throbbing with pain.
"Morons, catch her!" Chikara cried as Megan flew past a group of geonomes, knocking them unceremoniously to the floor. The minions blinked stupidly for several seconds before scrambling to their feet to chase the prisoner.
Megan ran through dozens of tunnels and rooms, down countless halls, and passageways. She hadn't realized a ship could be so big! Already the deactivated Summoner could feel her body slowing with fatigue. Her breath was coming in short gasps and a cramp had formed in her side.
"D-damn it . . .!"
She saw a room nearby with a large, gleaming metal door. It looked like some kind of boiler room. Megan raced towards it and began yanking hard on the handle like a trapped animal. She managed to wrench it open, but some sort of lock held the door only slightly ajar. With a cry of frustration, Megan stumbled backwards, breathing hard.
". . . No . . .!"
". . .Who . . .?"
Megan froze. There was a pair of violent purple eyes in the crack of the door, staring at her in surprise. The Summoner clutched onto the door handle, sobbing.
"Please . . . Please let me in . . ." Tears poured, unbidden, down her cheeks. "Please . . . Help me . . ."
A soft, female voice came from the other side of the door, and it sounded regretful. "I can't . . . The door's locked . . ."
Megan slid down the cool, metal wall, clutching onto the steel and crying. She could hear nothing but the other woman's breathing. Then the storm of footsteps came and Megan leapt to her feet in fear.
"No! No!"
They were on her in minutes. The geonomes seized her roughly by the arms and threw the prisoner to the floor, yanking on her hair. Megan screamed as they began to drag her towards the basement stairs.
"No!" she screamed. "No, I can't summon! My horn - they cut it; it's gone! Please!"
As her voice faded out down the hallway, the woman with the purple eyes stared, horrified, through the gap in the door, reliving what she had just seen.
"No . . . It couldn't be . . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zidane and his comrades scattered as a blaze of ice crystals flew in their direction. Zidane, a bit slow on the uptake, stumbled as one of the cold daggers pierced his shoulder. Skidding to a halt, he got into an attack stance. The rest of the crew followed suit.
"Kuja!" Beatrix shouted. "Can you use magic?!"
Kuja responded by summoning a surprisingly large Firaga. But rather than hitting the enemy, Kuja aimed the fiery blaze at the base of Fubuki's throne. Immediately a pool of water began to crush the snow as the ice tower sagged into the flames. Fubuki leapt from her perch just in time to watch the last of her beautiful throne revert to water.
"Bah . . . Tactless . . ." she simpered, turning her crystalline eyes onto Kuja. He smiled wryly and charged. The rest of the team did so as well.
Soon, the group was slashing, clawing, and parrying as they tried desperately to take down the snow-monster. But Fubuki was lightning fast and she dodged away from the mess of attackers immediately.
"Vivi, get her!" Garnet cried, turning to the rather exhausted black mage. Vivi nodded, small flames gathering in his fingers. But he was too slow and Fubuki unleashed a hail of ice-balls in his direction. Freya managed to grab Vivi and leap into the air just in time. The ice balls smacked into the snow and cracked the ground below. The team gaped in awe.
Fubuki simply smirked, flipping one of the small weapons in her hands.
"You can't defeat me . . . You are ants compared to my power . . ."
"Shut up!" Lani shrieked, pulling her axe back and lunging at her nemesis. She brought the glimmering weapon screaming through the air and the team covered their eyes, expecting to see their enemy's head rolling in the snow. Fubuki yawned and grabbed the axe by its blade. A small trickle of silvery blood ran down her palm but she ignored it. Fubuki flashed Lani a quick smile at the sight of the girl's startled face and then flung her through the air like a rag-doll; axe and all. Amarant caught Lani, much to the bandit's dismay.
"Let go of me . . ." she demanded, glaring up at the red-headed man. Amarant shrugged and dropped Lani on her butt, making her shriek in frustration. Fubuki laughed.
"Not much cooperation among this team now, is there?" she queried in a mocking tone. "Gracious me . . . How did you people ever think you stood a chance?"
"We'll defeat you yet!" Eiko snarled, holding a flute to her lips. The crew immediately pulled back in preparation for the Summon. Fubuki looked bored. Eiko closed her eyes, a sharp undulating tune emanating from the tiny instrument.
The ground began to split and a steady crack ran from Eiko's feet towards Fubuki. The snow-monster didn't move, though the seam went between her bare feet. Beams of cold blue light shot from Gaia's core and the crack began to widen. Understanding the full power of the Guardian Forces, Eiko's comrades backed up further. Typically during this Summon, a massive creature arose from the ground with a large silver wolf perched atop its head. This time, however, a mournful howl rose through the air. The sky darkened, momentarily revealing the blood red orb that was Terra and the white moon that lay nestled in the stars beside it. Then the large, blue- gray form of Fenrir charged from the planet itself, gnashing its teeth and snapping its jaws hungrily. Eiko lowered the flute, smiling coldly at Fubuki.
"Fenrir, kill her,"
The large wolf charged through the air as if on wings and at its silent command, enormous earthen stakes arose, trembling, from the snow. Fubuki lightly leapt above them dodging each of the deadly spears. Then she landed silently on the snow, looking smug.
"Dratted wolf . . . Fenrir, sit!"
She pointed a finger at the great Summon and whistled. A glow emanated from her hand and suddenly Fenrir jerked as if in pain and began to thrash wildly in the snow. He seemed to be struggling against a powerful force that was trying to pull him down. Eiko, realizing Fenrir's life was in danger, waved a hand and he was gone. Fubuki looked extremely proud of herself.
"Do you see now?" she queried, annoyed. "Your silly little tricks cannot kill me. Nothing can . . . Only myself . . ."
/Sh-she's not joking . . .!/ Zidane realized, horrified. /What is Fubuki's weakness?!/
"Kuja, how much magic do you have left?!" the blonde genome yelled towards his brother, who stood calmly nearby. Kuja hesitated, then admitted he had very little. Garland's hold over his reserves was strong.
"Shit," Zidane muttered. "Well, I guess I'll give it a shot . . . I didn't want to have to use this thing . . . But I guess I don't have a choice,"
As Vivi kept Fubuki busy by hurling small flames at her (which she simply brushed away with a sweep of her hand) and Garnet began casting protective spells upon the party, Zidane pocketed his daggers and reached for the weapon strapped across his back. Kuja watched him silently. Little did they know what was sheathed beneath the warlock's cloak . . .
"Ultima Weapon!" Zidane cried, raising the massive, double-sided scythe above his head. Several members of the group gasped, not having realized what weapon was within the sheathe upon Zidane's back. Freya, who was in mid-jump and holding her spear pointed straight down at Fubuki nearly dropped her weapon in surprise.
Zidane charged, the blade gleaming in the cold, searing air, a cry arising from his lips. Fubuki, not having expected Zidane to come at her with such an enormously large weapon, pulled back and caught one of the blades with a large icicle. The two remained locked, their arms trembling. Though the icicle was cracking, Fubuki's strength kept Zidane in check. It dawned on everyone there that whomever backed down first would be the one to die.
"D-die already!" Zidane choked out, baring down upon the snow-monster. Fubuki snarled angrily.
"You first!" she spat back. Suddenly, the snow-monster's eyes widened in fear and the icicle shattered. She leapt high into the air causing Zidane to stumble forwards. Zidane gasped as a blade whizzed out of nowhere at his feet, right where Fubuki had been standing. It was a thin blade, but the longest one he'd ever seen in his entire life. The genome looked up just in time to see Kuja standing calmly a few feet away, pulling the sword back to his side.
"My apologies . . ." he said slowly. "I am not as skilled at the blade as you are; my timing was off . . ."
Beatrix then asked the question that was on everyone else's mind. "Kuja, where the HELL did you get that enormous sword?!"
Kuja didn't respond, simply pulled the blade back into an attacking position, frowning. "Zidane, seeing as how you are far more superior at the use of swords than I am, please accompany me in the killing of this pest,"
Zidane stared at Kuja in confusion for a moment before a smile broke across his lips. "Sure thing, big brother . . ."
And there they stood, the two sons of Garland, each poised with a blade as long as their own bodies. The genome's faces held a strange confidence as if their partnership was the deciding factor in their victory. Kuja, though having not wielded a sword in almost fifteen years, seemed wizened and experienced in the art. He would not, however, admit that the sword had come from the woman he had come to loathe . . .
Fubuki's eyes narrowed dangerously and her slim form tensed in preparation. Zidane chuckled.
"Come and get it!"
Then the two brothers charged, slashing skillfully at their nemesis. Fubuki dodged their attacks, but just barely. Frustrated, the snow-monster leapt high into the air.
"Damn you!" she cried, forming a large ice-spear in her hand and throwing it down upon her enemies. Zidane swung the Ultima blade through the dagger, shattering the ice into a thousand tiny fragments. As he did so, Kuja summoned a crackling Thundaga, forcing Fubuki out of the air. She landed lightly in the snow, glowering with rage.
"Do not mock me!" she shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at the pair. The Shiva-like creature glanced up at a tall, looming cliff nearby. Fubuki seemed to be looking for something. Kuja's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Don't look away!" Beatrix cried, suddenly lunging at Fubuki with Save the Queen. As if on cue, the rest of the party charged. Fubuki, outnumbered, parried with one of her seemingly endless icicles. Unfortunately, the crew had pushed too far. Fubuki, enraged, dropped all tact. Now was her time for vengeance . . .
Her eyes darted angrily around at her enemies. She saw Vivi preparing another fire attack off to the side. Fubuki dodged Fratley's spear and suddenly threw herself at the little black mage. She shoved him into the snow and, using the momentum from the attack, propelled herself back into the air. Vivi, stunned, coughed and struggled to get back to his feet. Freya ran to help the small mage up when Fubuki shot down upon the Dragoon Knight like an arrow and cut the woman across the arm with an ice-spear. Freya cried out, falling backwards. Desperately, the Dragoon Knight kicked out at the snow-monster. Unfortunately, Fubuki had her pinned her to her back and, before anyone could stop her, she had slammed a powerful Blizzaga attack straight into Freya's chest. The rat-like woman cried out and then fell limp. Fubuki sprang off her victim with victory shining in her crystalline eyes.
Now the tables had turned. Delighted with her victory over the Dragoon Knight, within minutes Fubuki had managed to exhaust nearly the entire crew. Garnet was crouched in the snow, clutching at her bleeding arm. Amarant had a gash across his face and the rest of the team was almost too tired to stand. Beatrix dropped to her knees, breathing hard.
"Sh-she's t-too damn FAST!" the general gasped, glaring up at the tall, silvery woman. Fubuki put her hands on her hips smugly, glancing around at the challengers.
"You're all giving up already?! But I was hoping for a REAL fight!"
/We can't beat her . . ./ Zidane reasoned, kneeling on one knee as he fought to get his breath back. Kuja stood nearby, holding the large Masamune ready in case Fubuki thought of attacking. His eyes were glazed with exhaustion.
"We can't beat her . . ." he mumbled unintelligently, mimicking his brother's fevered thoughts.
"That's right," Fubuki said, smiling. "I am unstoppable. I TOLD you! Nothing can kill me but myself! And believe me, suicide is the last thing on my to-do list. Now who shall I take out first . . .?"
Her eyes traveled from face to tired face. "Should I kill the knight? No, his armor is rusted solid from the snow. That would be no fun," Steiner glared angrily but wouldn't admit he was frozen stiff. "What about the vermin? No, no . . . I have already defeated one; the other is too weak to rise. The bandits are both injured, the genderless Qu is knocked out cold, the queen is bleeding to death, the general is handicapped - and I certainly have more sense than to pick a fight with the great General Beatrix - and the puny little Summoner and mage are both too injured to be a fair battle. But . . . What about the genomes?"
She turned to face the two young men, her eyes glittering with delight. "I would find much joy in taking out the first Angel of Death, but alas . . . I was ordered to spare his life. So I'm afraid my little silver-haired fool must live. I regret to say that leaves only you," she said softly to Zidane. "Come, will you not fight me?"
Zidane, growling, began to rise. But before he had even lifted his sword, Fubuki had smacked him squarely across the face, hurling him backwards. Zidane skidded into the snow, crying out, and then lay still. Garnet weakly murmured his name but could not summon the strength go to him. It was amazing that, with only a few simple sweeps, Fubuki had turned the infamous crew from an unstoppable fighting machine to a band of novices unable to even shout out in anger.
Fubuki smiled coldly, standing above Zidane's body. He stirred, glaring up at her.
"N-no fair . . ." he muttered thickly. Fubuki laughed, and an impossibly large icicle formed from thin air within her fingers.
"And is it so fair that you pitted twelve against one?! Do not speak to me about fairness! Now . . . is the time to say your regrets for the life you will soon be leaving!"
There was a maddened gleam in her eyes, the likes of which Zidane had seen only once before when Kuja had first Tranced and realized the full potential of his power. Fubuki lifted the deadly icicle above her head, laughing.
"Goodbye, second son of Garland!"
Garnet screamed as half her comrades cried out in horror. The ice whizzed through the air, glinting maliciously against the snow. Zidane closed his eyes.
/Flash/
"Alright then, Your Highness! I shall hereby do my best to kidnap you!"
"The answer you seek may forever change your life for the worse."
"I find this rain quite pleasant . . ."
"She's asleep because she's tired. That's all . . ."
"Heroic? Human? Those are just things people say after the fact. Why try to give meaning to what the main character of the story chose?"
"Kuja used the waste product to make weapons. Weapons . . . like yourself."
"Lives come and go all the time. What's the big deal?"
"In order that our glorious history not die with us, we were constructed . . ."
"Shut up! I'm not like him at all!"
"I won't let this world exist without me!"
"In a world of nothing, fear does not exist."
"One day, you will choose destruction over existence."
"No one's useless . . ."
"I finally realized what it means to live . . ."
"Bring my beloved Dagger to me!"
"I wanted to come home to you. So . . . I sang our song."
"I love you, Dagger . . ."
/Flash/
A cry had filled the air like the sound of a strangled animal. Zidane felt something soft brush his skin and he opened his eyes nervously. Then he literally screamed in horror.
Quina, blood streaming down his back, stumbled in the snow. He was pinning something to the ground and snarling most unlike himself.
"You!" he shouted, sticking his face angrily into Fubuki's shocked one. "You bad person! I no let you take life of Quina's friend! I cook you good; spear you like chicken cabob!"
Zidane jerked into a sitting position and gazed on in utter disbelief. The butt end of Fubuki's icicle was sticking bloodily from Quina's back but the front, which had burst through the Qu's stomach, was lodged in Fubuki's abdomen and gushing silvery blood. The scenario made sense immediately. Quina had leapt in front of Zidane, taking the blow for him, and then fell into Fubuki, impaling her with her own blade!
Fubuki gasped in pain and surprise and managed to shove Quina off her ruined body. The Qu fell backwards and collapsed into the snow, too injured to move. Fubuki rose shakily to her feet, staring confusedly at the wound that was slowly spilling her life out into the thick, powdery snow. The ground was soaking in the molten silver of her blood.
/Flash/
I told you! Nothing can kill me but myself!
/Flash/
/Of course . . ./ Zidane thought suddenly, a light-bulb going on over his head. /Nothing we do can kill Fubuki. Nothing can kill her but her own weapons . . ./
"N-no . . ."
Her eyes rolled up into her head and as a gust of wind blew across the forest, Fubuki disintegrated into a million snowflakes and blew away in a flurry of ice.
The snow-monster had been defeated . . .
Zidane sat there, stunned. For a moment there was nothing but a numbing mist filling the hole within his mind. It had all been too much . . . too fast . . . Finally his brain went on fast forward and the genome turned roughly to the situation at hand.
"Quina!" he called to the unmoving creature nearby. The Qu didn't even stir. The others watched apprehensively. Zidane frowned and crept slowly towards his comrade. During this time, Freya had awoken and, having missed the spectacle, was sitting up and staring dumbfounded at what lay a few feet away from her.
"Quina . . ." Zidane repeated faintly, making it to the Qu's side and reaching out to touch his arm. It was always impossible to tell if Quina's eyes were open or not, but at that moment they seemed to reawaken. His tongue flapped slightly in response and he smiled.
"Ah, Zidane . . . You no turn into chop suey . . ."
Zidane could feel tears forming in his eyes as he spotted the icicle that stuck like a flag-pole from Quina's stomach. Sniffling, the genome quickly held them back.
"N-no . . . I'm not chop suey . . . thanks to you . . ."
"Ay, I become shish cabob instead!" Quina laughed. Zidane could feel warm bile rising in his throat.
"Quina . . . You can't die . . ." he murmured softly. The Qu simply laughed.
"Zidane I fulfill quest! I try food in many places! I even try food on other planet!" Zidane chuckled sadly, wiping at his eyes. "I said I cook you big feast but Quina think saving you from barbecuing a thousand times better meal!"
"Please, Quina . . ." Zidane pleaded. "This isn't a complete victory if one of us dies . . ."
"Is complete victory!" Quina said forcefully, his voice growing fainter by the second as his blood spilled into the snow. "Snow-lady is gone! Is complete victory! Zidane, I . . . I so happy . . ."
And Quina spoke no more . . .
A heavy silence descended upon the team. No one dared move. Kuja, who had been the only one still standing, was staring coldly at the corpse. To the others he seemed not to feel sadness for the loss. But it was quite the opposite. Kuja was becoming fearful. He glanced up at the cliff-side and, as he had expected, the warlock spotted two pairs of glimmering green eyes looking down upon them from such a height that they were four emerald pin- pricks in the coming darkness.
Geonomes . . .
Kuja recalled how Fubuki had glanced up the mountainside. She'd been expecting them. Not wanting any more casualties, he hurriedly said,
"Let's bury the Qu quick,"
"Have you no compassion?!" Steiner shrieked, rising angrily to his feet. "Quina was a dear comrade who has been with us since nearly the beginning!"
Kuja turned stoically towards the knight. He didn't want to frighten them with what he'd seen. "I understand that . . ." he said slowly. "But we can't just dawdle here. That's what they want . . ." he added as an after- thought.
"Give us time to mourn!" Freya cried furiously, staring daggers into Kuja. "Is your heart really so caked in ice?!"
Kuja's eyes narrowed slightly. He seemed about to say something but Zidane was already rising to his feet.
"We will bury Quina in the snow for now and come back to give him a proper burial later . . . Kuja's right, this is dangerous . . . But first . . . I- I think we should have a moment of silence . . . For one of the first of our companions . . ."
The others nodded numbly. Eiko and Garnet were crying softly. Lani, though too tough for tears, was sniffling lightly.
They bowed their heads in silence, locked in steady prayer. Even Amarant remained respectively silent for his comrade. Kuja closed his eyes sadly . . .
And as the sun began to set heavily behind the mountains, the team that had now been reduced to eleven mourned silently for their loss . . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: No . . . QUINA!!! *sob* It's so sad! Gah, that was so EVIL!!! Of course, now I have to give a good reason for taking the life of a main cast member, right? Fine. Here goes . . . See, in my opinion this fic wasn't . . . personal . . . enough for the main characters. I mean, the Final Fantasy IX characters were out to kill Garland just to save the world. It wasn't . . . personal. I mean, in Final Fantasy IX, it was personal because there was a direct threat to Zidane's friends and the villain was his brother and all that. But in this fic, it was just one of those "save the world for the people" kinda plots. Well, now it's not. Now it's a "do it for the life of our dead comrade!" types of plots. You know, one of those stories where something happens and the main character says all dramatically and crap: "Now . . . Now it's personal!" Heh. And I wanted Quina to have a noble death. I mean, I didn't want him to die like the idiot he always seemed in the game *sweatdrop* I mean, the thing pretty much sacrificed himself for his friends . . . That was pretty cool of him. I'll admit, I always kinda liked Quina. I didn't kill him 'cause he was annoying or anything. I mean, he was always so silly and friendly, like a sweet presence during the game. My favorite scene was definitely when Quina says "Ooh, flower smell good!" or something like that, and then says "Ooh, flower taste good too!" And then Freya says something to the affect of "Quina does whatever s/he wants, doesn't he?" (she seriously said "he" the second time) and Zidane responds with a rather sarcastic "I don't think it's intentional." I loved that . . . Poor Quina-sama. I say we should all have a moment of silence for Quina *sniffle* He had a good run . . . And his memory will live on in the story. TO SPUR ON THE CREW'S NEED FOR VENGEANCE, BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
RREEAADD AANNDD RREEVVIIEEWW!! (Next chapter's a MAJOR cliffy! Probably one of the biggest EVER!!! I'm feeling SO evil this week . . .)