Echoes of Memories

By: Ookami no Anubis

Disclaimer: The only thing I own from FF9 is the game itself.

Rated PG13 for future violence and Zidane's mouth.

AN: I know I really should be working on my other fics, but this one has been bugging me for years, so I'm just going to put it up. I hope that whoever reads this likes it. Now on to the fic!

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I awoke in a haze. My vision was blurred beyond belief. I could make out nothing at first. I panicked, before my vision cleared to reveal that I was lying in a field. I could see tall mountains in the distance. I didn't know why, but I had the distinct feeling that I wasn't supposed to be there. I couldn't understand why, so I shook the feeling off. I was still very disoriented, so I thought I would rest until I steadied.

A roar interrupted my plan and forced me to attempt to get up. It sounded big and too close for comfort. I got my feet under myself and pushed myself to my feet, but I immediately fell back to the cold ground. A throbbing ache radiating up my leg alerted me to why I had fallen. My leg was covered in blood and even more of the red liquid stained my clothing.

I heard another roar, this time it was closer. I had to get up. I searched for a support and found a stick with a blade nearby. I knew the name of it, but a pounding headache made it hard to think. I knew it was a spear, but it had a name. Why couldn't I remember?

As I searched my memory, I realized that I had none! What was my name? Where was my home? Where was I? I tried to remember, but I couldn't. No answers came to mind and I nearly panicked, but a roar that was far closer than the last forced these thoughts to the back of my mind. For now, I had to get somewhere safe.

I grabbed the spear and heaved myself to my feet. I swooned and nearly fell again at the pain radiating from my injured leg, but the support of the weapon kept me on my feet. I took a few tentative steps and leaned heavily on the long weapon. I picked up my pace as another roar rent the air.

I continued in no particular direction, letting my feet take me to where they would. I walked for what felt like an eternity until I came to a strangely familiar area. I could see a cavern in the cliff up ahead and as I drew closer, I saw some shapes walking. I was hesitant at first, but something told me that the distant forms were friends, so I increased my pace. I could only hope that my feelings were corrected.

When I drew closer, I could make out some mouse-like forms in armor. They were guarding the door. Something told me they were friends, so I drew closer, hoping one of them could help me. Apparently, they saw me as well and they ran towards me. I was hesitant, but they seemed to recognize me as I came closer.

They came close enough to see me clearly and stopped short. "Freya, what happened to you? Are you al- what am I saying, of course you're not all right. Do you need help to get to Burmecia?" The guard on the left asked. Burmecia... It sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it through the headache. "Freya, please respond!" The one on the right said with worry lacing his voice.

"Who's Freya? Who are you?" I asked, staring at them in confusion. I didn't understand what was going on. Why were they so familiar? If they knew me, why couldn't I remember them? Was Freya my name?

"Come on Freya, let's get you to Burmecia. Dr. Gray will help you with that leg," the one on the left said as he grabbed my arm and started guiding me towards the cavern.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked as we drew closer. What in the world was going on?

"It's all right, I'm taking you home," he said as we went into the cavern.

"Let me go! Leave me alone!" I yelled as I pulled away.

"Freya!" he shouted as I started down the hall as fast as I could.

He started to come after me, but the other guard stopped him. "Leave her be, you know what she can do. She obviously needs time to think-" I heard him say before I went out of the range of his voice.

The corridors passed by me in a blur. Some more guards tried to question me as well, but I paid them no heed. I finally slowed in a chamber with a large pool in the center that had a single bridge across the expanse. I saw some movement in the pond, but for some reason it did not frighten me. I actually felt comforted by the familiar presence. I felt like all was finally right with the world. I really wish I knew why.

I stopped by the pool to take a better look at the shadow, but my attention was drawn to my own reflection. I saw the shape I was in and couldn't help but wonder why I was still standing. I looked like I had been put through the wringer, but I also noticed that I looked very much like all the guards I had run into. I had noticed that I saw more of them as I neared this place, so maybe they did know me, and maybe my home was on the other side of this place. I drew myself to my feet and continued on.

As soon as I left the cavern, the light assaulted my eyes. I hadn't realized how dark it was in there. I looked around to get my barring and saw a city off in the distance. Once again, it felt familiar, so I started in that direction.

As I drew closer, I felt a light rain begin to descend. I felt like I was being greeted home. I knew I would find my answers here. I plodded on over the muddy earth until I reached that city. It was made entirely out of stone, and I could see many tall buildings in it.

I saw more guards as I walked through the gates, but I was too tired to care. I saw more and more of the mouse people as I walked into the city. They all seemed to recognize me, and all asked what was wrong with me. I reached what looked like a marketplace, when one of the shoppers shouted that name again and asked that same stupid question.

"Freya! What happened to you?" he yelled as he dropped what he had been looking at to run to my side. "Freya, what's wrong? Please talk to me! Please respond! " He shouted as he drew closer. I couldn't hear anymore of what he said as my senses began to dull. I felt my knees give out as he caught me and continued saying that name. I couldn't hear him though, I had fallen into a deep, warm, welcoming darkness.

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AN: Well, how was it? This was my first FF9 fic, so I'll take constructive criticism, but I'll hurt the flamers. I just use the fire to make hot chocolate and all extra water will be poured down flamers' shirts. Remember to review!