Echoes of Memories

Disclaimer: I don't own FF9! Stop reminding me!

AN: Chapter two is here! I'm having trouble updating because I have to do it at the library now, so I'm typing up chapters early and then putting them up on the weekends. Enough about me, on to the fic!

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It was so warm, I didn't want to wake up. I tried to go back to sleep, but my body had other ideas. My eyes opened to a ceiling. Someone had moved me inside. I sat up a bit to see where I was and flinched at the dull ache that seemed to be all over my body. I ignored it and took in the sight of the place I was in.

It appeared to be a bedroom, with a dresser and other bedroom furniture in it. It seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it no matter how hard I tried. Then I heard voices from another room.

"Judging by the way the guards say she was acting, I think she may have lost her memory," a voice said. It was familiar, but like everything else, I couldn't place it.

"Do you know how she could have ended up like this?" a different voice asked. It was also familiar, but I was tired of giving myself a headache, so I didn't even try to remember. I hurt enough as it was.

"I can't say for sure. It could be a fall, a fight with a monster, or any number of things," the first voice replied calmly.

"Will she be all right?" the other voice asked.

"If you mean her injuries, then yes, Sir Fratley. But if you are speaking about her apparent memory loss, I cannot tell you anything for certain until she wakes up. We will just have to wait, no matter what," the voice said.

"How long will it take?" the voice that had been called Sir Fratley asked.

"I already told you. We don't know if she really has lost her memory, but if she has, it could be anywhere from a few days to a few years if it is only temporary. If not, then she may never be the Freya we knew again. But don't worry for now, we will have more of an idea after she wakes up," the other voice replied again with irritation lacing its tone.

The only door into the room opened and the person who had run up to me in the marketplace and another person walked in. They quickly noticed I was awake and the other one walked up to the bed that I was on.

"How are you feeling, Lady Freya?" he questioned.

"If you mean me, then I feel fine, but I want to know who this 'Freya' is and why everyone is calling me that!" I snapped. I was sick and tired of being so confused. I wanted answers and I was going to get them. "And what's with the 'Lady' stuff now?"

The one I had seen before replied, "Freya is a respected dragon knight. Her proper title is Lady Freya. As for why everyone is calling you that, you are Freya, but few people call you by your proper title because you think it is annoying and told everyone to stop it before you lost it."

"Okay, how do I know you are telling me the truth and why should I trust you at all?" I replied. I was not in the mood for jokes of any type, so I was not putting up with anything.

He smiled, "It is hard to miss you. You have always made sure you were different, and besides, I have known you for many years. I wouldn't ever mistake you for anyone else."

It sounded plausible, and what he said sounded true, so I nodded that I believed him, but I still had some questions. "Who are you two?" I would stay simple for now, deal with immediate questions first.

"I am Sir Fratley, a fellow dragon knight. We were in the same class when we were training. This is Gray, he is a healer and an old friend." That definitely sounded familiar, but no more headaches, so no trying to remember for now.

"Do you remember anything at all?" Gray asked me.

"No, well, some things seem familiar, but I can't remember anything no matter how hard I try," I told him as I rubbed my pounding head in an attempt to soothe it.

"Well, that's a good sign. It means that this is probably only temporary. Are you in any pain?" he said.

"Yes, my head is killing me and my whole body aches," I told him.

"All right, I'll give you something for pain," he told me as he rummaged around in a bag I just noticed he had. He pulled out a small bottle and handed it to me. "Take two when you hurt. But don't take it more than four times a day or you could get sick." He instructed. He certainly sounded like a healer. I swallowed two of the pills and I was starting to feel better within minutes.

"Feel any better?" he asked. I nodded and smiled. "Good, now, can you tell me what you do remember?"

"Not much, just waking up in an area surrounded by cliffs with a spear nearby. I hurt a lot, but I heard a roar nearby so I got up and started walking. I came up to a cavern where two guards tried to stop me or something, but I told them to leave me alone and went through the place by myself and then I got to the town and now I'm here. I'd go into more detail but I'm tired and hungry," I told them as quickly as I could.

"All right, not much, but we'll talk more another time. You need your rest and some food. I'll leave her in your care Fratley. Good night, both of you. Be sure to get some rest Fratley." Gray said as he picked up his bag and left.

"Good night. I'll get some sleep Gray, you don't need to worry about me so much. I'm tired as well," Fratley said to him as he went with him out the door. Fratley reappeared a few moments later, carrying a small tray. He put it on the bed and I devoured it within a few minutes. "It's good to see that your appetite is healthy. All right, I'm sure you're tired, so I'll leave you for the night," he said as he smiled at me and carried the tray out. Just before he closed the door, I heard him say, "Good night."

I fell asleep a few moments later, but I didn't have a good night at all.

Freya's Dream

I was fuming over something as I tromped through the field, slicing up any monstersthat were unfortunate enough to cross my path. 'How dare he? Pretentious, little prick. Insensitive jerk. Why do I even care about him? … Well, we have been friends since we were little. This won't help, I just have to talk this out with him.' I turned around and started to head for the same cavern that led to the city of stone.

Suddenly, something hit me in the back. I spun to face my attacker and was met with the sight of a huge monster, the likes of which I had never seen before. I fought desperately, but the larger creature knocked my spear from my hands. I tried to defend myself, and even tried to run, but it was of no use. The creature knocked me to the ground, I felt myself lose consciousness as I hit the ground.

I opened my eyes to see what looked like a laboratory. Although it was darkened so I couldn't make out much. All I could see was the shadow of a door and various instruments that I couldn't see in the suffocating darkness. I decided to see how I was being contained. I might be able to break out if I tried. What I saw was somewhat uplifting. I was chained to a table that had been stood upright. I surveyed my bonds and was trying to pick them when a voice startled me from my task.

"Well, well, look who's awake. You shouldn't be trying to escape, it is futile," a man's voice rang out as I snapped my attention to the door. A man stood there, but in the gloom, I couldn't make him out. He came closer very quickly, suddenly I was staring into the most evil pair of dark eyes I had ever seen in my life. I felt waves of terror course through my body, but I refused to let it show to the monster in front of me.

"Trying to be brave? It is of no use, you will be truly terrified soon enough," he said as he pulled back. The look in his gleaming eyes frightened me to my core as his sadistic laugh filled the chamber…

End Dream

I found no escape that night, as visions of that creul man paraded through my head until the sun's light could come and banish the monster from my head.

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AN: Hope you liked it! Review responses in a moment!After you read these, remember to click the pretty little button that says 'submit review'!

Bballstar42: Yay! My first reviwer! I haven't ever played Crystal Chronicles, but I hope to soon. Please update your fic soon. It was great! (I think you know which one I mean, so I won't explain.) Here's a cookie!

kash30032000: Yay! Another reviewer! I'm happy you liked it! I've felt that way plenty of times, so I can relate. Here's a cookie!